Grizzlies’ Ja Morant Closing In On Return

Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant is nearing a return from a knee injury, and could play in one of the team’s final two regular-season games, as relayed by Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors.

“He’s doing great,” coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters. “All signs are in a really good direction, but he’s definitely getting close. … He did 5-on-5 for the first time today, so that’s really encouraging. (He) responded well afterward. We’ll see how he responds (Friday) obviously, as we go into this back-to-back back home.”

Morant, 22, has been sidelined since March 18. The Grizzlies already were expecting him to be back before the playoffs, and they have already locked up the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

Jenkins added that the Grizzlies are going to play it safe, given that the last two games are fairly meaningless. But he would like to see the entire team back on the court before the playoffs, which start next weekend (April 16 or 17 for the Grizzlies).

“If that’s not what’s the recommendation of the medical team, (if) we don’t feel like that’s the smartest move, then we won’t do it,” he said.

Morant is averaging 27.6 points, 6.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds in 56 games. He was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.