Full Breakdown
Ja Morant Faces Former Memphis Grizzlies in First Clash Since Trade
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In this breakdown
01
Core Event: First Meeting Since the June Trade
The Portland Trail Blazers will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday at the Moda Center, marking Ja Morant’s inaugural game against the franchise that drafted him. Both clubs enter the matchup unbeaten—Portland at 3-0 and Memphis at 4-0—making the contest one of only five remaining perfect records in the NBA.
02
Background & Context
Morant spent seven seasons with Memphis after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2019 draft. During that span he earned Rookie of the Year (2019-20), Most Improved Player (2021-22), two All-Star selections, and helped the Grizzlies reach the Western Conference semifinals in 2022. The final three years of his tenure were marred by multiple suspensions, injuries, and a public dispute with head coach Tuomas Iisalo, culminating in a one-game suspension for comments about the coach. In June, Memphis traded Morant to Portland for Jerami Grant, Kris Murray, and cash, without receiving any draft picks.
Visual evidence
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03
Data & Statistics
- Team records: Grizzlies 4-0; Blazers 3-0.
- Morant’s Portland numbers (first three games): 16.3 points per game, 58.8 % field-goal shooting, 44.4 % from three-point range, 6.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.7 rebounds.
- Portland offense: league-leading 129.3 points per game, 51.1 % field-goal percentage, 38.9 % three-point shooting, 17 threes per game.
- Memphis offense: 116.8 points per game (10th), 45.3 % field-goal percentage (19th), 39 % three-point shooting (3rd).
- Morant’s Memphis career averages: 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.0 steal over 327 games.
04
Official Statements & Responses
Morant told reporters that he is “cool with everybody over there” and reiterated that he is “not a big grudge guy.” Former teammates Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jaylen Wells described Morant as a “competitor” who will “try to attack the rim” and noted that they have continued to talk regularly. Both players emphasized that familiarity does not diminish the challenge of guarding Morant.
05
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m cool with everybody over there,” — Ja Morant, the veteran
- “I’m not a big grudge guy or anything like that,” — Ja Morant, the veteran
- “I take responsibility for stuff I’ve caused. But it wasn’t all me, though,” — Ja Morant, the veteran
- “Easier looks, easier coverages for me,” — Ja Morant, the veteran
- “I’ve been practicing against him a lot, but at the end of the day, he’s still Ja Morant,” — Scotty Pippen
- “I feel like I should know his tendencies a little bit on offense,” — Jaylen Wells
06
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources agree that the trade did not involve draft assets, but no outlet provides a definitive assessment of the long-term impact on either roster. Consequently, projections about which team will benefit more remain speculative.
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What’s Next
The Thursday showdown at the Moda Center will be the first of three meetings between the two clubs this season. The next encounter is scheduled for early February, when the Grizzlies will travel to Portland. Both teams will look to extend their unbeaten streaks while Morant seeks to prove his value against the franchise that shaped his early career.