Jaren Jackson Jr. said former assistant coach Darko Rajakovic, now with the Raptors, always knew how to motivate him. 

At shootaround, Marcus Smart’s peeled back the bandage on his left hand exposing a gnarly wound. He’s playing through it, and setting an example for Grizzlies teammates.

Time only moves in one direction, and if a new year can’t exactly offer a fresh start in the standings, it can perhaps offer a new trajectory. 

NBA box score for Sunday’s game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Sacramento Kings.

The Grizzlies have allowed opponents to shoot 49% or better in each of their last three games. 

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Box Score: Kings 123, Grizzlies 92

Illness has smacked Memphis hard over the last few weeks. The Grizzlies were out-rebounded 54-33 in a loss to the Clippers on Friday night. 

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Box score: Clippers 117, Grizzlies 106

NBA box score for Friday’s game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers.

Ja Morant was not listed on the Grizzlies injury report ahead of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers Friday.

The Memphis Grizzlies lost to the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.

The Denver Nuggets ended the Grizzlies’ four-game winning streak as Ja Morant sat out with an illness. 

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Box score: Nuggets 142, Grizzlies 105

Grizzlies Insider: Memphis enters opportunistic window for postseason hopes

With Ja Morant questionable due to an illness, the Grizzlies begin a critical stretch of games against likely playoff teams.

Marcus Smart made critical winning plays in his return from a foot sprain that had sidelined him since mid-November. 

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Box score: Grizzlies 116, Pelicans 115 (OT)

Grizzlies Insider: Should Marcus Smart start for the Grizzlies?

The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the New Orleans Pelicans in overtime at Smoothie King Arena n New Orleans, Louisiana, on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023.

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

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. 

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.

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. 

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 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.

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

Ja Morant said playing in FedExForum is like playing in front of family and he can’t wait to feel the love from Memphis fans again.