“We have met the persistent. And they are Tennessee voters.”

The Grizzlies notched one of their best wins of the season without Morant on Sunday, before the team knew of his fate. Perhaps that will help them carry confidence into a “rest of the season” they now know will continue without him.

In taking down the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday and then the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, Memphis won consecutive games for only the third time this season.

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“There are 25.6 million people who are uninsured in this country. That’s more than the population of 177 countries and every state other than Texas and California.”

Martavius Jones has just snuck into your house through an unlocked window and stolen a knee replacement from your dark living room.

Jahvon Quinerly’s 3-pointer in the final seconds helped the Tigers avoid a stumble in its AAC opener.

At a 5-4 pace the rest of the way, the Grizzlies would finish 38-44. Based on current winning percentages for other teams, that would not be enough to get the final play-in spot.

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Two rare talents, and two of the league’s most compelling young stars, met on the floor of FedExForum Tuesday night.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young offered fresh “hope” at his swearing-in ceremony. And while that won’t solve the city’s many problems, it is at least a good start. 

“Doctors peddling phony promises should know that the FTC will use its strengthened authority from Congress to stop them from exploiting Americans struggling with addiction.”

With the slow pace of the holiday season upon us, it is time to recognize those who pull together our coverage of the suburbs every day to provide information you won’t find elsewhere.

“If you’re looking for something to look forward to in the New Year, I’ll give you two. Just look up.”

Will Plenk and Christian Carichner were once college roommates. Friday, they’ll be directing the Memphis and Iowa State marching bands at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. It’s a story about life, about friendship — and about tubas.

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“I wonder if there is some unspoken desire to shed things like bills and emails and jobs and smart phones and instead become a child alongside our children, all a mess together with bed-heads and pj’s and sock feet, no matter how polished or professional we are in our adult life.”

“Heading into a new year, where much ahead lies unknown, the discipline of waiting on the light to break through in our personal lives, and in our community, is a lesson not just for the final days of December, but for each day that is to come.”

The Grizzlies’ points per 100 possessions before Morant’s return were dead last in the NBA. In his two games back, they’re now the sixth-best offense. 

The worn Big Bird and Cookie Monster, the Scotties and Flamingos, the typewriter and macramé angel, the stuff kids made, weren’t for the marketing target audience, they were for us.

Ja Morant was back at FedExForum Thursday. But you know what else was back? Fun! It suddenly seems like a whole new season for the Grizzlies. And in this season, the Grizzlies are a perfect 2-0.

“I can’t believe that this is even a council responsibility. Voting benefits for yourself? Shouldn’t that be up to your employer — the citizens of Memphis?”

“I’m willing to say that, overall, (Jim Strickland’s) tenure as mayor was good. Not great, but nowhere near a disaster either. He does have some positive things to show. But we cannot just brush aside the negatives.”

Yes, Ja Morant really did that. He really did score 34 points — and the winning bucket — in his return to NBA basketball. It was a night already part of Grizzlies lore. And it should give Memphians real hope.

“After seeing the barrage of allegations concerning Youth Villages, I felt the need to speak the truth. The truth is that we need more organizations like Youth Villages, not fewer — committed to transforming systems and improving the lives of people that for far too long have been left behind.” 

“I have asked some fellow lifelong Memphians who know all about the big city/small town nature of our home to share memories from the Christmases of their earliest years.”

“But, as they say, all good things must end. ... Dec. 29 will be my last day at The Daily Memphian, which has served as a five-year encore to 40 years at The Commercial Appeal.”

“(Neighborhoods) need incremental change to remain relevant and survive. Improving bike networks and pedestrian connections shouldn’t need to wait for the next multi-million dollar project.”