Ja Morant will return to the lineup against the Orlando Magic in London after a six-game absence because of a right calf injury. He will be on a minutes restriction in the contest.
“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,” Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “We’ll try to maximize his minutes and try to do it in a smart way.”
Morant is averaging 19 points, 7.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds through 18 games this season.
The 26-year-old returns to the lineup while the Grizzlies are reportedly “entertaining offers to potentially move the two-time all-star,” according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Charania added the team would prioritize draft picks and young players in return. However, as the Grizzlies consider multiple paths forward, they still remain open to keeping Morant, per Charania.
Memphis is 11th in the West at 17-23.
–with files from The Associated Press
