In 2019, the Golden State Warriors have had 24-attempts at victory, yet have only registered five wins. One of those five wins came against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies, similarly to Golden State, are struggling in 2019 with a 6-16 record. Still, there is faith in Memphis because of their stellar rookie, Ja Morant.
Morant’s the perennial favorite to win Rookie of the Year, averaging 18.6 points and 6.4 assists per game. Morant has four-games of scoring 25-points or more for Memphis this season, with one 30-point game.
The only hitch in Morant’s impressive debut season has been a sore back injury that’s taken him out of the past couple of games. The Murray State product looks to be back healthy just in time for the Grizzlies trip to Chase Center in San Francisco.
After going through shootaround, Memphis head coach told reporters in Golden State that Morant would return to the starting lineup after missing the previous four games.
Ja Morant went through shootaround and is a full go tonight against the Warriors, Taylor Jenkins says
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) December 9, 2019
Morant will get to square up with the Warriors own Rookie of the Year candidate, Eric Paschall. The tandem of Paschall and Morant lead all rookies in several categories, including points per game.
The last time the two met, Paschall and Golden State left Memphis with a 114-95 win. Morant dropped 20-points to Paschall’s 17, but the Warriors rookie was more efficient, shooting 46.7 percent from the field to Morant’s 35 percent.
When the 2019-20 season is over, and the Rookie of the Year is crowned, both Paschall and Morant will be in the conversation for the honor.