Ja Morant kindly reminded the basketball world exactly who he is.
The Memphis Grizzlies superstar appeared in just nine games last season after serving a 25-game league suspension before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.
Morant hadn’t played since January 5Getty
But on his return to NBA action on Wednesday night, Morant proved he’s still one of the best young players around, dropping 22 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in a 126-124 season-opening victory over the Utah Jazz.
The explosive guard – still just 25 – put on a show in just 28 minutes of action, although it was his dagger to ice the game that was most impressive.
With 40 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Memphis up 122-119, Morant hit a stunning layup to put the Grizz up by five and seal the game.
Morant refers to his late game heroics as time to ‘call 12’ – a nod to his jersey number and being the go-to guy when it matters most.
“My phone always in my pocket ready to answer,” Morant said. “The ringer on, too.”
“My job as a point guard is to control the game,” Morant added afterwards. “I hate if I let the other team’s point guard control the game. Whatever I can do to make sure it’s in our favor, I try to do.”
His gravity-defying circus shot sent NBA fans into a frenzy, who took to social media to proclaim that Morant is well and truly back.
“The demon is back,” one fan posted.
“Ja doing Ja things! Handles for days and the finish is pure magic,” another wrote.
“D Rose 2.0,” a third added.
Morant iced the game vs the Jazz late in the fourth quarterGetty
“Huge season incoming,” a fourth commented.
The two-time All-Star was meant to be the next guy up in The Association, following a trail blazed by the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry.
However, his ascension was stunted during the 2023-24 season amid controversy and injury.
The NBA suspended Morant for 25 games -– his second ban in four months – after flashing a gun on a friend’s Instagram account, costing him over $300,000 per game.
He returned for just nine games before suffering a shoulder injury which ended his season and required surgery and subsequent rehabilitation.
In his absence, other young phenoms stepped up to make their case as the next face of the NBA.
‘Alien’ and 2023 No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama had a Rookie of the Year campaign for the ages and could be the league’s first $1 billion player.
Trash-talking Michael Jordan clone Anthony Edwards took the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals before winning an Olympic gold medal with Team USA.
Jayson Tatum finally won a championship ring and helped the Boston Celtics become the winningest franchise in NBA history.
Edwards took a big leap last seasonGetty
Tatum won his first ringGetty
A lot has happened since Morant’s injury.
But now he’s back, and in one game he’s already put the basketball world on notice he’s here to take over.
And with the 2022 Most Improved Player back running Memphis’ offense, there’s fresh optimism the Grizzlies can get back to making serious noise in the loaded Western Conference.
That’s for another day, though.
Right now, Ja’s just happy to be back doing what he does best.
“I was just excited to be back out there,” Morant said. “These guys trust and believe in me every time I’m out there on the floor, so it’s only right I go out there and play free.”
