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Since entering the league, Ja Morant has put the NBA world on notice. As the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year, Morant averaged a whopping 17.8 points per game on 47.7% shooting. On top of that, the young star averaged 7.3 assists per game, a stat that's still close to his career-high all these years later. With a unique ability to posterize nearly any defender in his path, Morant is a defense's worst nightmare.
Although last season saw him miss a career-high 35 games, Morant has been able to remain healthy throughout most of his career. In his rookie year, he played in 67 games before then playing in 63 (of 72) games the following year. In each year, Morant has helped lead the Memphis Grizzlies further and further in the playoffs.
Given that he's only 23 years old, many have wondered just how Morant is able to go 100% for a full game night in and night out without major injuries. With the Grizzlies (10-7) tied for 6th in the Western Conference, Morant has managed to improve on his averages from last season. While dealing with a mild ankle sprain, the former Rookie of the Year spoke about his ability to stay healthy:
“A cyborg. I’m just a unique dude, man. I don’t think I’m human. I got to do some lab testing or something to see what is really behind it. The league is doing the same. I have a drug test right after this.”
The comments came during a recent interview with Drew Hill from the Daily Memphian.
You can see some highlights from Morant's career below.
Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies this season
Last season, the Memphis Grizzlies went 56-26, finishing the regular season with the second-best record in the Western Conference. In the first round of the playoffs, the team defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games. After that, the team matched up with the Golden State Warriors in the second round, ultimately losing in six games.
The loss kept them out of the Western Conference finals and helped add fuel to the fire for this season. With the team eager to make a run, the front office was able to keep most of the team's core roster together. In addition, they re-signed guard John Konchar to a veteran extension.
Although the front office didn't make any blockbuster trades or shake things up, last season was big for the young duo of Ja Morant and Jarren Jackson Jr. The season before, Memphis finished in eighth place in the Western Conference at 38-34. When the team made the playoffs, they won just one game before falling to the Utah Jazz in the first round.
This season has been an up-and-down one for Morant and the Grizzlies. Tuesday night in Memphis, the team will host the Sacramento Kings (9-6) as they look to return to the win column following a 127-115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
You can see highlights from that game below.
Guess the Lakers players!
