Ja Morant averaged 28.0 points, 9.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds in his first three games this season. 

The defense and team chemistry fare well, but something is sorely lacking for the 10-2 Memphis Tigers basketball team.

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Vince Williams Jr. has done plenty to prove he deserves to be a starter, but the Grizzlies need to see what Ja Morant and Marcus Smart look like together on the court. 

Advanced analytics show that the Tigers’ star wing is currently in the top 10 of Player of the Year standings.

Marcus Smart, in his first year with the Grizzlies, has not played since he injured left his foot Nov. 14, missing the last 16 games Memphis has played.

Just a week after breaking into the AP Top 25 for the first time this season, the Tigers climb higher in the rankings.

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Tigers beat writer Parth Upadhyaya’s latest AP Top 25 ballot

How far did the Tigers’ climb in Upadhyaya’s AP Top 25 ballot after a drubbing of nationally ranked Virginia but a close call against lowly Vanderbilt?

Opposing coaches Quin Snyder, Rick Carlisle and Willie Green explain why defending the Grizzlies with Ja Morant in the lineup is so challenging. “You have to try to be perfect,” Snyder said. 

The University of Memphis has made a conscious effort to provide resources to help athletes prioritize their mental health needs.

Twenty-seven years and two state girls soccer titles later, the veteran St. Agnes coach is closing one chapter of a life well-lived.

Tomlin made his Memphis debut Saturday in the Tigers’ 77-75 win over Vanderbilt. Just four minutes into the game, he caught a pass on the right wing, squared up his shoulders and drilled a 3-pointer; it was pure pandemonium at FedExForum.

It was not pretty, doggone it, but Nae’Qwan Tomlin, Penny Hardaway and the No. 23 Memphis Tigers escaped with a win over Vanderbilt two days before Christmas.

Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. combined for 87 points on Saturday. It is the third straight game they have each scored 20 or more points. 

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Box score: Grizzlies 125, Hawks 119

NBA box score for Saturday’s game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks. 

The Tigers picked up the narrow victory over the Commodores behind David Jones’ 28 points and nine rebounds.

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Box score: Memphis 77, Vanderbilt 75

NCAA men’s basketball box score for Saturday’s game between the Memphis Tigers and Vanderbilt Commodores played at FedExForum.

Memphis’ matchup with Vanderbilt Saturday marks the first of 16-straight games versus unranked opponents for the Tigers who will need to maintain their recent level of focus to avoid unnecessary slip-ups.

Tomlin averaged 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks and started all 36 games for a Kansas State team that finished 26-10 and made a run to the Elite Eight in 2022-23.

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. 

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.

In Ja Morant’s return game, it was all three of Memphis stars who pushed the Grizzlies to a win. 

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Box score: Grizzlies 116, Pacers 103

Grizzlies Insider: Ja Morant shares thoughts on home return, Pacers matchup

‘What crime did he commit?’: Tee Morant talks Ja’s return on NBA XM radio

The Memphis Grizzlies played the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.

Tigers coach Penny Hardaway spoke to reporters about the statuses of Nae’Qwan Tomlin and Jaykwon Walton and other topics Thursday after Memphis’ Tiger Toy Drive.

Tee Morant shared how he believes people should view his son, Ja, with the show hosts.

Cooper Haynes and Carlyn Burdette were chosen after strong performances last week.