A depleted roster hasn’t stopped the Memphis Grizzlies from opening the season with strong intentions. Ja Morant has appeared in all games, and the team has managed to win two games despite key absences. Tonight, a fabled rivalry resumes. The Warriors, desperate for a win after losing to the Trail Blazers, will host the Grizzlies. But will there be a clash of their stars – Curry and Morant?

Ja Morant’s career has been frequently hindered by injuries. While his athleticism allows for some breathtaking moments on the court, it has also taken a toll on his body. Recently, he has been dealing with soreness in his left ankle, which made him questionable for the game against the Pacers. However, there are no indications that the dynamic Grizzlies point guard is currently affected by any injuries.

Morant is expected to play against the Warriors, a team with which he has both fond and challenging memories. While predicting the outcome of this matchup can be difficult, it is always an exciting event when these two teams face off. Since scoring 35 points in Memphis’s season opener, Morant’s performance has quieted down a bit.

The eccentric guard is yet to score over 20 points since then. On the other hand, the Warriors’ cornerstone can’t seem to miss. Stephen Curry has been going nuclear, averaging 33.3 points through the first three games of the season. Furthermore, the Bay offense hasn’t had problems putting up points on the board so far.

Currently, they are the ones with the edge over Ja Morant and Co. The Warriors claimed three victories against the Grizzlies last season. Albeit their thundering star spent a lot of time on the sidelines. While that isn’t the case anymore, the franchise isn’t completely out of injury problems.

The Grizzlies lack depth in front of the Warriors

The Memphis Grizzlies seem to always have an injury bug ready to pounce on them. It’s no different this season. They will be without Ty Jerome, who had a breakout campaign with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season. But most importantly, Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke are long-term absences. Coping without them could be tough against the Warriors.

It leaves Jaren Jackson Jr. as the only center with size and physicality. Against the Warriors, a team needs multiple personnel to manage fouls. Notably, both Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga apply heavy pressure on the rim, leaving JJJ as the only barrier. Jock Landale is also capable of blocking shots and defending the paint.

Edey’s length and strength would provide a significant advantage. While Ja Morant is undoubtedly energetic on the offensive end, the Warriors are unlikely to have Stephen Curry guard him. Both Jonathan Kuminga and Butler contribute to the team’s defensive intensity, and with Draymond Green likely matching up against Jaren Jackson Jr., the interior defense will be much stronger.

That said, Ja Morant excels in slashing to the basket. He has a unique ability to carve through defenses with a variety of moves. However, the key factor remains: the Grizzlies will need Morant, a two-time All-Star, to showcase his offensive skills to effectively challenge the Warriors. He and Jackson will be crucial if the Grizzlies hope to secure a victory on the road.