Ja Morant Dominates in Return, Leads Grizzlies to London Victory

LONDON (AP) — Ja Morant dominated. Returning to action after a six-game absence due to a right calf injury, Morant delivered 24 points and 13 assists in his return to the Grizzlies lineup Sunday – despite playing on a minutes restriction. Iisalo said the medical update he received about the two-time All Star was positive a day after Morant practiced with the team. “We’ve discussed this several times this season, when you miss a bunch of games, it’s not so easy to (go) right away into big minutes,” Iisalo said of his expectations for Morant. Though trade speculation has begun to swirl around the 26-year-old point guard says there should be no doubt about his desire to keep playing for the Grizzlies. After a dominant performance in a 126-109 victory over the Magic, the two-time All Star addressed recent trade speculation about him. “I’ve got a logo on my back, so that should tell you exactly where I want to be,” Morant said, referring to a tattoo of the team logo. “If anybody in here knows me — I’m a very loyal guy,” he said. Morant’s return provided an instant boost for a team that needed it. The Grizzlies’ win was just their third in the past 10 games. After sitting out the first game of a European doubleheader — the Magic won 118-111 in Berlin on Thursday — Morant was appreciative of the fan support he received in London. “Just being able to play basketball — it’s very therapeutic for me,” he said. “I know what I’m capable of out there on the court and I was able to show that tonight. “It was big-time, walking off and representing Memphis is what it’s all about.” Memphis built a 33-point lead in the first half — and this time held on for the win. The Grizzlies blew a 20-point lead in the loss in Berlin. “That’s just credit to coach putting us in the best spots possible and then just me being Ja and wind up making the right play whether it’s passing or scoring,” he said. “We got into a great rhythm early, got a big lead, after that it’s just managing.” The two-time All-Star missed the first of the two-game NBA Europe series when the Magic beat the Grizzlies 118-111 in the NBA’s first regular-season game in Germany. In Berlin, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he was disappointed that Morant couldn’t play because the guard “has a tremendous following globally.” Morant is making about $39.4 million this season and is in the third year of a five-year, $197.2 million contract. He’s averaging 19 points and 7.6 assists per game this season — 22.4 points and 7.4 assists for his career.