Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic knows firsthand the impact Ja Morant has on the Memphis Grizzlies. When the visiting Raptors play the Grizzlies on Thursday night, Rajakovic will return to the arena he called home for three seasons as a Memphis assistant coach.
After a league suspension and injuries sidelined Morant for the majority of the 2023-24 season, the two-time All-Star guard has returned to power the team’s 20-10 start. Although Morant has missed 12 of 30 games with various injuries, none have kept him out of the starting lineup for long. Memphis owns the third-best record in the Western Conference behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets as Morant has averaged 21.3 points and 7.9 assists to fuel the strong start. Even with Morant in and out of action, the Grizzlies are scoring 126.1 points per game in 10 games this month.
The Grizzlies enter the game having won six of their last eight. However, they saw an eight-game home winning streak come to an end with a 114-110 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. Morant returned from a one-game absence due to back soreness to score 23 points with six rebounds and four assists in 29 minutes against the Clippers, while shooting 7-of-20 from the floor.
Toronto, on the other hand, has struggled from the outset. The Raptors lost 12 of their first 14 games and are now 7-23. They suffered a 139-125 loss to the Knicks on Monday for their eighth consecutive loss. Their last win came on Dec. 3 against the Indiana Pacers. Among the recent positives has been the play of rookie Ja’Kobe Walter, who has scored 43 points in the past two games and ranks among the top rookies in scoring average (8.9). Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, who had 24 points and eight assists against the Knicks, is one of five players in the league averaging at least 19 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
This matchup promises to be a captivating battle as Rajakovic faces his former team and the Raptors seek to snap their losing streak. Will the Grizzlies continue their strong start, or will the Raptors find a way to bounce back?
