The Memphis Grizzlies announced Ja Morant will start Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers after missing eight games with a sprained left ankle.
Coach Taylor Jenkins said pregame the team “will be smart with his minutes” to ease him back.
Morant, the NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year, was listed as questionable Thursday before Friday’s game with the Timberwolves was postponed.
Expected to miss 3-5 weeks when he was injured on Dec. 28 and wheeled off the court, Morant’s quick recovery is a boost for the Grizzlies as the schedule gets tougher.
Morant scored 72 points in the Grizzlies’ first two games, including a career-high 44 points in the season opener.
