Winning cures all, and all seemed to be fine with the Memphis Grizzlies on November 7th as they dismantled the Dallas Mavericks to snap a four-game losing streak. The drama surrounding their star guard, Ja Morant, and his issues with head coach Tuomas Iisalo a week before that game triggered a reaction the team couldn't snap out of.
With a four-game home stretch this week before hitting the road for a four-game trip next week, the Grizzlies lost the first two games and three in a row overall at home. Ja Morant's body language and shooting struggles since he returned from his one-game suspension headlined the team's slump.
However, Friday night's win over the Mavericks showcased a more joyful Morant, who delivered a performance to remind the league why the Grizzlies prefer to work through their internal issues rather than trade him.
Morant secured his first-ever first half double-double
A healthy Ja Morant-led team has typically been a winning team throughout his tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies. The current season's start isn't the best it could've been, but you also have to factor in all the changes on the team from coaching, roster turnover, and injuries.
With a tough schedule ahead, the Grizzlies badly needed a win for morale and to provide some positivity. Morant felt that pressure and delivered 12 points and 10 assists in the first half to lead the team to a 23-point halftime lead. The Grizzlies eventually extended their lead to 35 points in the third quarter before winning the game by 14 points.
Morant still struggled from three (0-4), but exerted his will by getting into the paint and scoring at the rim and in the midrange. He controlled the game and took advantage of the mismatch he had with a Mavericks team that lacks true point guards to finish with 21 points and 12 assists. Also notable was his communication with head coach Tuomas Iisalo.
The Grizzlies' first two games this week saw Morant not really engaging with the coach or his teammates much as he was going through the motions of his return to the team. Despite that, he took blame in his postgame interview following their loss to the Rockets on November 5th, which felt like a player who would follow it up with the performance he delivered Friday night.
Opposing teams can continue to monitor the situation as much as they'd like, but Morant reminded the Grizzlies why they will choose to mend the relationship rather than give up on it. With their tough stretch on the horizon, the timing for Morant to return to form came right on time.