Ja Morant Faces Memphis Grizzlies for the First Time

Ja Morant faces the Memphis Grizzlies for the first time in his career on Thursday night, squaring off against his former franchise. The matchup headlines a three-game National Basketball Association slate.

Ja Morant Confronts Former Franchise

Thursday’s meeting marks the initial encounter between Ja Morant and the organization that drafted him second overall in 2019. The guard played for the Grizzlies between 2019 and 2026, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2020, Most Improved Player in 2022, and All-Star nods in 2022 and 2023 before a turbulent period involving firearm-related suspensions precipitated his departure.

Reflecting on the transfer, Ja Morant told The Athletic that his years in Tennessee remain unmatched outside of a championship run. My years in Memphis were great. It’s hard to sweep all that away after just a few months [in Portland], he said, adding that he still watches every Grizzlies game and maintains affection for the city.

A fresh start is always good. I didn’t want to leave. Memphis was enough to me, but I’m in a good place now. I’m feeling good. I’m happy. We got things rolling here. Great city, great fans. Everything’s so far here has been good for me, and I’m loving it, he added.

The new Portland guard enters the fixture without bitterness, describing it as another game on the schedule. I get along with everyone there and I don’t hold a grudge against anyone. Unless they hold one against me… he said, acknowledging past friction with head coach Tuomas Iisalo while emphasizing his happiness in the Pacific Northwest.

Unbeaten Grizzlies Rely on Ty Jerome and Youth Movement

While Ja Morant adjusts to a secondary offensive load alongside Damian Lillard in Portland—averaging 16 points and six assists—Memphis arrives as an unexpected early-season force. The Grizzlies are undefeated behind the play of Ty Jerome, who earned Western Conference Player of the Week honors after orchestrating a fast start that surprised league observers.

The Memphis rotation features emerging talents Cedric Coward and Cameron Boozer, injecting youthful athleticism into a squad that reached the upper tier of the Western Conference during Ja Morant’s peak years. French prospect Sidy Cissoko is also listed among the active players for the visitors.

Schedule Around the Western Conference Slate

The Thursday night schedule features a limited three-game card across the league. Alongside the 3:00 AM tipoff in Portland between the Trail Blazers and Grizzlies, the slate includes the Pelicans versus the Kings at 1:00 AM, and the Hawks versus the Cavaliers at the same hour.

The Cavaliers enter their contest riding a three-game winning streak, while the Hawks are in poor form. Meanwhile, the Pelicans and Kings meet in a matchup of early-season positioning at the bottom tier of the conference standings, rounding out a brief night of action.