Morant, frustrated by his ankle injury, was buoyed by his teammates and their play.

Jan. 16, 2021: 206 people were in attendance at FedExForum

Morant looked to be in good form with 17 points and six assists after 18 days out of action with an ankle sprain.

Just 18 days after suffering a Grade 2 ankle sprain, the point guard is back in the lineup.

The Friday, Jan. 15 game between the Grizzlies and Timberwolves has been postponed due to coronavirus complications with Minnesota. 

The Grizzlies partnered with FedEx, Feed the Children and the Women’s Foundation to help provide food, household items and school supplies to 1,200 families in need. 

The team is staying alive in the way-too-early playoff outlook even as it plays without its stars. 

Jan. 13, 2021: Grizzlies 118, Timberwolves 107

The Grizzlies had a franchise-record 80 points in the paint and outscored Minnesota 38-17 in the final quarter to erase a double-digit deficit.

Related: Box score: Grizzlies 118, Timberwolves 107

Jan. 11, 2021: Grizzlies defeat Cavaliers, 101-91.

Grizzlies, facing Cavaliers for the second time in five days, were led by Dillon Brooks (21 points, seven rebounds).

Related story: Box score: Grizzlies 101, Cavaliers 91

Chris Herrington: The absence of Grizzlies’ stars provides a chance to observe the trends of some players who are in outsized roles.

Xavier Tillman Sr. will have an expanded role to fill if Jonas Valanciunas misses time due to health and safety protocols. 

Jan. 8, 2020: Grizzlies 115, Nets 110

Jonas Valanciunas left before halftime for “health and safety protocols”; sources say it was not a positive COVID-19 test. 

Related Story: Box score: Grizzlies 115, Nets 110

Jan. 7, 2021: Cavaliers 94, Grizzlies 90

The Cavaliers took advantage of Grizzlies miscues to win a close game between two depleted teams Thursday night.

Related Story: Grizzlies, Cavaliers kneel in unity prior to Thursday’s game

Related Story: Box score: Cavaliers 94, Grizzlies 90

Tyus Jones said it was challenging for the Grizzlies to focus on basketball after what happened at the U.S. Capitol the day before.

While recovering from his ankle injury, Ja Morant has purposely asked to sit close to the floor so he can bring the energy off the bench to his teammates. 

The Grizzlies had no answers in the second half for James, though the bench had another encouraging performance.

Weighing three factors, who ends up being the No. 1 Grizzlies player in 20 seasons in Memphis?

The veteran guard has played in 272 NBA games since 2014, and is averaging five points and four assists for his career.