The Grizzlies are winners of seven of their last nine, entering a four-day break as the NBA Cup quarterfinals take place this week. Memphis just missed out on the festivities after losing a tiebreaker with the Phoenix Suns due to a lower point differential.
However, the added rest comes at a great time for the Grizzlies as Ja Morant is set to return for their next game against the Utah Jazz on Friday night in Memphis. He has missed the team's last 10 games due to a calf strain, but his status was upgraded to day-to-day last Thursday. Ahead of their latest victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, Morant was listed as Doubtful, meaning a four-day break gives him plenty of time to return this week.
The Grizzlies have a 7-3 record in the 10 games he's missed to reverse a 4-10 record to their current 11-13 standing. While worry of disruption to the team chemistry might become a thought to some, the Grizzlies paved the perfect return path for Ja Morant.
A full week of practice sets the perfect stage for Ja's return
The schedule break broke perfectly for the Grizzlies and Ja Morant's healing from his injury. Due to his day-to-day update and Doubtful designation ahead of their last game, Morant likely could've returned sooner. However, with the four-day break on the horizon and a team clicking in the right direction, taking things slower works to their advantage this time around.
Ja Morant has been engaged with his teammates and sticking up for them by engaging with the opposing team, showing he is committed to the team. He has also been seen acting as a secondary coach, which is awesome to see from the team's best player and starting point guard who controls most of the offensive actions.
Although Morant has likely begun practicing with the team again, gaining an extra couple of days for him to ease in with the good chemistry they have will only help. Despite the Grizzlies' excellent stretch of play, Morant is needed if the team wants to really make noise in the Western Conference.
Zach Edey's return relieved the Grizzlies' loss of Morant and the other point guards on the team, as Vince Williams Jr.'s job became simple when he was thrust into that role unexpectedly. Morant and Edey both had their best stretch of play late last season when Tuomas Iisalo took over as head coach. Now, he will finally have them together again to fully unlock what his vision is for the team to become a contender in the West.