During the Utah Jazz’s season-opening win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, Ja Morant scored 21 points and handed out nine assists. The team had set a record of 56 wins in a season in 2012-13, and they did it again this year.
After a nine-game absence, Morant played more than 27 minutes in his return to the Grizzlies’ starting lineup.
They will conclude the regular season at home against Boston on Sunday night.
Morant has not appeared in a game since March 18, when he suffered an injury in a loss to Atlanta.
“I’ve been looking forward to being out there with my team since March 19,” Morant added, referring to the day after his injury. “I was able to achieve it. I’m ecstatic to be out there. I had a great time. Simply preparing for the stretch of the playoffs that is about to begin. “
Morant, who was selected as an All-Star starter for the first time this season, has been instrumental in the Grizzlies’ climb to the NBA’s top half this season. He is first in the league with 16.8 points in the paint and averages 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, and 6.7 assists a game.
