Ja Morant has Grizzlies thinking deep postseason run

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A rested and rehabbed Ja Morant will back in the Memphis lineup for the NBA playoffs, and the All-Star guard has the young, talented Grizzlies believing they're ready to make a deep postseason run.

Morant sat out the regular season finale on Sunday, but returned the night before after missing nine games with a sore right knee.

"I felt like I needed a game or two to get my legs back under me, to get the game-type feel," Morant said.

It appears he has his legs back under him.

Morant scored 21 points in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans that tied Memphis' franchise record for victories in a season at 56. Then along with the other Grizzlies' starters, he sat out the regular season finale.

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) handles the ball under the basket during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans onSaturday, April 9, 2022, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

It has been a steady ascension for Morant, who uplifts the Grizzlies with each step he takes.

The overall No. 2 pick in the 2019 NBA draft and 2020 rookie of the year, Morant helped end Memphis’ playoff drought in 2021 as the Grizzlies played their way to the No. 8 seed.

Now with resume worthy of MVP consideration, he has led Memphis to its highest seed ever at No. 2 in the West with the NBA's second-best record of 56-26. The Grizzlies believe they are ready to take the next step, reaching the playoffs is no longer good enough for this team.

Memphis starts its quest Saturday hosting either Minnesota or the Los Angeles Clippers, not that the opponent matters to Morant.

"I’m focused