Ja Morant issues 1-word descriptor of first Grizzlies home game vs. Pacers

Since making his return from his 25-game suspension, the Memphis Grizzlies have gone on an undefeated 2-0 streak and have found themselves registering as a top-10 two-way team during this stretch with a ninth-best net rating of 7.7.

While there certainly appeared to be a stronger sense of joy, excitement, and overall vigor right from the jump with their centerpiece back in the fold against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 19, Thursday evening's home showing seemingly was on another level as it was his first performance in front of a FedEx Forum crowd in 2023-24 and, to much delight, he didn't disappoint.

Dropping 20 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds in 34 minutes of action, Morant, along with fellow star cohorts Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., paved the way to a commanding 116-103 win over the surging Indiana Pacers.

From start to finish, the home crowd was overtly electric and had their energy carry over to members of the Grizzlies throughout the contest which, to their 24-year-old guard, was an absolutely "crazy" feeling.

Ja Morant says atmosphere for first Grizzlies home game was "crazy"

"Crazy. It's what we need every night. Obviously we just need to continue handling business for them on our home floor, coming in and getting wins, but they brought us a lot of energy even when Indiana went on that run. They stayed in the game with us and allowed us to feed off their energy once again and so to get the lead back and then push it to double-digits. Obviously basketball is a game of runs so we knew Indiana would come back fighting back but having that crowd alongside us with the energy and how loud they [were] helped us get this win tonight."

- Ja Morant on Grizzlies crowd

Though the Grizzlies have already played 12 games in front of their home crowd this season, Thursday's bout against the Pacers easily felt like their most familiar brand of environment that had cheered the club to 102 wins over the last two seasons. What made the event all the most special was the fact that it marked as their second home win of the campaign.

Combined with Morant's efforts, the stud trio of him, Bane, and Jackson contributed 72 points on their own along with 16 assists and 19 boards, which served as somewhat of a reminder of the high-end brand of production they can put forth as a unit.

Hopefully their winning ways can carry on over through Saturday's road tilt against the Atlanta Hawks to help wrap up their pre-Christmad Day stretch on a 3-0 run.