The NBA announced the Memphis Grizzlies will compete in their NBA Global Games this season, but it came with a cost. Due to the scheduling conflict of the games and travel times to the two cities in Berlin and London, the Grizzlies will lose their annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day game for only the second time since the franchise moved to Memphis from Vancouver in 2001.
While the loss of that game stung the city of Memphis, the opportunity to play globally was too good to pass up for the Grizzlies, and it was likely due to Ja Morant's popularity. However, Ja Morant's somewhat fall from grace over the last couple of seasons led to the Grizzlies not garnering another Christmas Day game this season.
The Grizzlies need Morant's game to match his brand again this season
The Make Them Watch Tour for Morant's new Ja 3 shoes has been a success for the star, who is looking to return to the positive light. He was expected to take on the face of the NBA moniker just a few seasons ago, before trouble off the court and injuries halted that development.
After back-to-back NBA All-Star appearances during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, Ja Morant only played 59 games over the next two seasons, leading to the Grizzlies leaving the national spotlight. His performance during his All-Star seasons helped the team notch its first-ever Christmas Day game in 2023.
Following a disappointing end to last season, the Grizzlies weren't expected to get that type of attention again next season, and the early schedule releases confirmed just that. The NBA released its schedule for opening night and Christmas Day, with eight Western Conference teams scheduled to play.
Ja Morant's popularity remains relevant as he won the Fan Favorites Award for Dunk of the Year on NBA.com. The Grizzlies are hoping that popularity helps springboard Morant back into the conversation of top NBA players as they look to become title contenders and back on the radar for nationally relevant holiday games.