Ja Morant
Ja Morant’s return to the lineup came with a stage few NBA stars ever experience, and boy was he feeling it. Morant was so deep in his bag, he even pulled out his bazooka celebration. Playing in London for the league’s first regular season game there since 2019, Morant led the Memphis Grizzlies to a 126-109 win over the Orlando Magic, then opened up about the overwhelming support he felt from the crowd, per Field Level Media.
Morant finished with 24 points and a season high 13 assists in his first game back after missing six contests with a right calf contusion. He shot 7 of 13 from the field and knocked down three of four attempts from deep while appearing in just his 19th game of the season. The performance set the tone early and turned the afternoon into a showcase moment for both Morant and the league.
“It felt good,” Morant said after the game, reflecting on the experience of playing overseas for the first time. “Especially to be able to do this, first time playing a real overseas game. I needed it.”
Ja Morant Shines Early in London Return
Morant wasted little time asserting himself. He handed out six assists in the opening six minutes and finished the first half with 20 points and 10 assists in just 15 minutes of action, Fairfield Sun Times reports. Memphis carried a 72-53 lead into halftime after building a 33-point cushion during a dominant second quarter run.
The Grizzlies never allowed Orlando to seriously threaten in the second half, a notable change after Memphis had let large leads slip away in recent games. Even when the Magic trimmed the margin early in the third quarter, Morant continued to control the pace and keep the advantage comfortably in hand.
The setting added to the atmosphere. NBA commissioner Adam Silver attended the game, along with former All-Stars including Isaiah Thomas, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, and Detlef Schrempf. The contest at the O2 Arena carried an All-Star Game feel from tipoff to final buzzer.
Morant Embraces the Overseas Fan Love
Beyond the stat line, Morant focused on the connection with the London crowd. Fans consistently called his name and erupted when he scored, a response that stuck with him long after the final horn.
“Just the love,” Morant said. “I’m able to see not only I got love back home, but I got it here too. Fans constantly calling my name and cheering when I score. That’s big time.”
The moment carried extra weight given the recent noise surrounding Morant. Earlier this season, he clashed with the coaching staff and faced trade speculation while sidelined with his calf injury. After the win, Morant addressed reports suggesting Memphis would listen to trade offers and made his stance clear.
“If anybody in here knows me, I’m a very loyal guy,” he said. “I’ve got a logo on my back, so that should tell you exactly where I want to be.”
For Morant, the London game represented more than a return from injury. It offered validation on a global stage, reinforced his bond with the Grizzlies, and reminded him that his impact reaches far beyond Memphis.