Ja Morant is someone who has been watched closely by fans and the league as of late. Overall, this is due to the fact that he was engaging in some significant off-court antics. The straw that broke the camel's back was when Morant decided to flash a gun on Instagram Live. Subsequently, he was suspended eight games by the NBA, without pay. However, he is now back with the Memphis Grizzlies, and on Wednesday night, he played his first game since being suspended.
This matchup took place against the Houston Rockets, who are easily one of the worst teams in the entire NBA. It proved to be a fruitful game for the Grizzlies who managed to win by a score of 130-125. Moreover, the team had Morant coming off of the bench. Head coach Taylor Jenkins was looking to ease him back into things, and Ja did not disappoint. He had 17 points in 24 minutes and even came through with a poster dunk. As for how he was received by fans, it's clear that Memphis still loves him.
Ja Morant Welcomed Back With Open Arms
In the video clip above, obtained by TMZ, you can see Morant receiving a standing ovation from all of the fans in Memphis. This standing ovation took place as Morant was checking into the game for the very first time. Overall, it was an amazing sight to see as every single fan got up on their feet. Despite everything that has happened, Memphis still has all of the love in the world for Morant. The fans understand he made a mistake and that he is improving every day. Furthermore, he is the key to this franchise winning its first-ever championship.
The Grizzlies currently sit in second place in the Western Conference standings. This is a great place to be, especially since their first round would be against a play-in team. Subsequently, they could very well see the Warriors again in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. Needless to say, this would be a playoff run full of familiar faces. Let us know what you thought of Ja Morant's return to the court, in the comments down below.
[Via]