Report: Grizzlies' Ja Morant 'on Track' to Play vs. Pelicans After 25-Game Suspension

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant "is ramping up as he prepares for his season debut and is on track to return" when his team hits the road to play the New Orleans Pelican on Dec. 19, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

That's the first game in which Morant will be eligible to play after serving his 25-game suspension.

There was a belief the Grizzlies would be able to hold down the fort for the most part without Morant. They hadn't performed badly when he was out in the past, and the offseason arrival of Marcus Smart stabilized the backcourt.

Instead, Memphis is 6-15 to open the 2023-24 campaign, and the problems extend beyond Morant's suspension.

Steven Adams was lost for the season before opening night, a massive blow when Brandon Clarke is still out of action since tearing his Achilles in March. Their injuries combined have probably done more to send the team into a tailspin than Morant's absence. The Grizzlies finished 2022-23 third in defensive rating (110.7) and sit 12th (112.7) this year, per NBA.com.

Having Morant will at least provide a shot in the arm for what has been one of the league's worst offenses. Memphis is 29th in offensive rating (106.8), scoring (106.2 points per game) and field-goal percentage (43.5).

But the two-time All-Star probably won't be back to his best immediately upon returning. Although Charania reported he "'looks good' in his on-court play with Grizzlies teammates," practice and on-court workouts can't fully simulate game action.

By the time Morant is firing on all cylinders, it could be too late to change the trajectory of Memphis' season, and some will argue the team is already at that point.