The three players shook off last season's injuries and made their comeback.
The NBA preseason is in full throttle, with the teams shaking off the offseason rust before the regular season kicks in. Notably, several stars are making their much-anticipated returns after injuries cut their previous seasons short.
Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, and Marcus Smart have all rejoined the action, eager to reestablish themselves as key contributors for their respective teams.
Ja Morant made his return to the court for the Memphis Grizzlies in their preseason opener against the Dallas Mavericks after a season-ending shoulder surgery last season.
In just 18 minutes of action during the Grizzlies’ 121-116 victory, Morant contributed across the board with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block. He shot 4-of-9 from the field, made all five of his free throws, but missed both of his attempts from beyond the arc.
Morant’s return sparked headlines due to an injury scare in the second quarter. A bounce pass from Mavericks’ Naji Marshall struck his foot, causing him to roll his ankle and limp off the court. Although he briefly returned to play, Morant later checked himself out due to lingering discomfort. However, he reassured reporters afterward, stating he was okay.
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LaMelo Ball made a strong return to action for the Charlotte Hornets in their preseason clash against the New York Knicks, following a series of ankle injuries that sidelined him last season.
In the 111-109 loss, Ball logged 19 minutes, delivering an impressive performance with 18 points, four rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and one block. He shot 6-of-14 from the field, 4-of-10 from beyond the arc, and converted both of his free throws.
Ball’s career began on a promising note, playing 75 games in his rookie year and earning an All-Star selection in the 2021-22 season. However, his momentum was derailed by recurring ankle injuries, forcing him to miss a significant portion of the past two seasons.
With Ball sidelined, the Hornets managed just 48 combined wins over the last two seasons. Since November 26, Ball has played in only seven games, making his return a pivotal moment for both his career and Charlotte’s hopes of improvement.
Marcus Smart joined Ja Morant in making his return for the Memphis Grizzlies after injuries derailed much of his previous season.
In the preseason matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, Smart played 22 minutes, contributing six points, one rebound, five assists, one steal, and one block. All his points came from the free-throw line, going 6-of-7, as he struggled from the field, shooting 0-of-3 and 0-of-1 from beyond the arc.
Smart joined the Grizzlies last offseason, watching his former Celtics teammates win the NBA title last season. In Memphis, Smart endured an injury-plagued season, battling abdominal soreness, a foot sprain that kept him out for several weeks, and a finger injury that ended his season early.
With his return, the Grizzlies are banking on Smart’s trademark toughness, defensive prowess, and leadership to make a significant impact.
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