The Memphis Grizzlies got an early Christmas present in the form of star point guard Ja Morant’s return to the team after missing 12 consecutive games due to injury and health and safety protocols.
Unfortunately, the team lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder, spoiling the return of Morant. It’s left a bittersweet taste for fans who had enjoyed a 10-2 run in the star’s absence, but 100% does not warrant the superstar to be heckled by hometown fans, as he reportedly was in his return Dec. 20.
Don’t confuse a spectacular, out-of-this-world run with Morant’s expendability. Here are three reasons why you shouldn’t overreact to the team losing in the superstar guard’s return to the team.
Morant was playing at an All-Star and fringe-MVP level prior to his injury
The franchise cornerstone had six games of 30 or more points before his injury. Morant would often come up with a couple of rebounds and a couple of assists shy of recording a triple-double.
We saw him torch the Lakers for 40 points, we saw him be able to start making multiple three-pointers during the game, and at one point, he was among the league leaders for points in the paint per game.
He was flashy, he was exciting to watch and he hand the entire league talking about him having taken that “next step.”
Give Morant some time to acclimate to the speed and flow of the game after being out for such an extended period of time.