The Memphis Grizzlies are 4-0 since Ja Morant’s return to the court. On Tuesday, they made headlines again by completing another late comeback on the road to stay on a roll. 

Memphis has a twist for dramatics, both on the court and online. But let’s keep the focus on the court here, because a new level of test is coming for Morant and company. 

It really is a shame Morant hasn’t been able to share his triumphant re-entry into the league’s landscape with the home fans. Three of his first four games came on the road, and so will his next two at Denver and Los Angeles. 

It’s worth noting: Morant was listed as questionable for the game on Thursday due to an illness. The illness that has traveled around the Memphis locker room over the last couple of weeks has been a two-day doozy with a mix of symptoms. 

Desmond Bane and John Konchar, among others, have also recently appeared on the injury report with an illness and did not play in the following game. 

So it is certainly possible that Morant sits out. But the Grizzlies would like at least to split the final games of the road trip anyway. 

Just before Morant returned, the Grizzlies stood 7.5 games back of the play-in tournament, likely in need of some chaos to close the gap. 

A little over a week later, they are 4.5 games back of the play-in. The climb has been nearly slashed in half. 

Oh, and some moderate mayhem has ensued. 

Gabe Vincent will be out for an extended period for the Lakers.

The Suns are just 3-7 in their last 10 games, Bradley Beal still can’t stay healthy, and Kevin Durant is reportedly frustrated.

Dillon Brooks has an oblique injury for Houston, and his teammate Jabari Smith sprained his ankle on Wednesday night. 

Draymond Green remains suspended for Golden State, who is fighting to stay above .500.

That could make the next couple of weeks a highly opportunistic time for the Grizzlies to gain ground, as long as they can step up and beat good opponents. 

Eight of the next 10 games for Memphis will come against likely playoff teams. Overall, the Grizzlies’ have the eighth-ranked remaining strength of schedule.

A tough stretch Thursday and Friday against the Nuggets and Clippers, who have each won eight of their last 10. 

If the Grizzlies want to find their way back into the play-in picture, they will need to continue to reestablish that they can be competitive with the league’s elite. Last season, they were just 3-18 overall when listed as an underdog. 

The rest of this year, they will have to be much better than that if they want to continue gaining ground. 

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