LeBron James on Ja Morant's return: Go be GREAT again!!
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Ja Morant’s return: Why have the Grizzlies been so bad without him, and can they still make the playoffs?
cbssports.com/nba/news/ja-mo… – 1:58 PM
Ja Morant’s return: Why have the Grizzlies been so bad without him, and can they still make the playoffs?
cbssports.com/nba/news/ja-mo… – 1:58 PM
Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
Legs is back!! And we’ve got a great show lined up. Come join!!
The Wolves are for real
How the Clippers found their groove
Ja Morant returns
📺 youtube.com/live/HCm-k-CxZ… – 1:29 PM
Legs is back!! And we’ve got a great show lined up. Come join!!
The Wolves are for real How the Clippers found their groove Ja Morant returns📺 youtube.com/live/HCm-k-CxZ… – 1:29 PM
Baxter Holmes @Baxter
NEW: ‘A quagmire situation’: What Ja Morant’s return means for a teetering Memphis Grizzlies season w/ @espn_macmahon espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 12:56 PM
NEW: ‘A quagmire situation’: What Ja Morant’s return means for a teetering Memphis Grizzlies season w/ @espn_macmahon espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 12:56 PM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Ja Morant is set to return from suspension Tuesday night, can the Grizzlies’ season be salvaged?
nbcsports.com/nba/news/ja-mo… – 12:29 PM
Ja Morant is set to return from suspension Tuesday night, can the Grizzlies’ season be salvaged?
nbcsports.com/nba/news/ja-mo… – 12:29 PM
Mark Haynes @markhaynesnba
Zion Williamson (non-COVID illness) is QUESTIONABLE for tonight’s game vs. Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies, per team. – 12:07 PM
Zion Williamson (non-COVID illness) is QUESTIONABLE for tonight’s game vs. Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies, per team. – 12:07 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
With Ja Morant returning from a 25-game suspension, has the Grizzlies’ star learned his lesson? My dispatch for @Sportsnaut bit.ly/41x9xmo – 11:28 AM
With Ja Morant returning from a 25-game suspension, has the Grizzlies’ star learned his lesson? My dispatch for @Sportsnaut bit.ly/41x9xmo – 11:28 AM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
The Lakers and LeBron James set the right tone with honoring their NBA Cup win while putting it in the proper perspective. My dispatch for @SportingTrib bit.ly/474qRk8 – 10:54 AM
The Lakers and LeBron James set the right tone with honoring their NBA Cup win while putting it in the proper perspective. My dispatch for @SportingTrib bit.ly/474qRk8 – 10:54 AM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Ja Morant makes his season debut tonight.
Will he and the Grizzlies get back on track vs. New Orleans? pic.twitter.com/fHLkdWuhS8 – 10:00 AM
Ja Morant makes his season debut tonight.
Will he and the Grizzlies get back on track vs. New Orleans? pic.twitter.com/fHLkdWuhS8 – 10:00 AM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
LeBron James links Lakers struggles to In-Season Tournament: ‘Have you seen Indiana’s record since Vegas?’
cbssports.com/nba/news/lebro… – 9:20 AM
LeBron James links Lakers struggles to In-Season Tournament: ‘Have you seen Indiana’s record since Vegas?’
cbssports.com/nba/news/lebro… – 9:20 AM
Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Ja Morant is back today. Big game on TNT.
Unfortunately, I got sick over the weekend and this thing has really kicked my ass.
To say I’m bummed I can’t be there tonight is an understatement. 😓 – 8:28 AM
Ja Morant is back today. Big game on TNT.
Unfortunately, I got sick over the weekend and this thing has really kicked my ass.
To say I’m bummed I can’t be there tonight is an understatement. 😓 – 8:28 AM
Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Ja Morant is back today. Big game in TNT.
Unfortunately, I got sick over the weekend and this thing has really kicked my ass.
To say I’m bummed I can’t be there tonight is an understatement. 😓 – 8:26 AM
Ja Morant is back today. Big game in TNT.
Unfortunately, I got sick over the weekend and this thing has really kicked my ass.
To say I’m bummed I can’t be there tonight is an understatement. 😓 – 8:26 AM
Mark Giannotto @mgiannotto
COLUMN: Ja Morant is back. Memphis basketball hosts UVA (and might be as good as it has been since Calipari left). Liberty Stadium deal should be approved. Savor this day, Memphis sports fans.
commercialappeal.com/story/sports/c… via @memphisnews – 8:08 AM
COLUMN: Ja Morant is back. Memphis basketball hosts UVA (and might be as good as it has been since Calipari left). Liberty Stadium deal should be approved. Savor this day, Memphis sports fans.
commercialappeal.com/story/sports/c… via @memphisnews – 8:08 AM
Chris Vernon @ChrisVernonShow
JA MORANT returns tonight. Quick reminder for those that forgot (cc: @KevinOConnorNBA)… pic.twitter.com/QwQflQ3Pbu – 8:05 AM
JA MORANT returns tonight. Quick reminder for those that forgot (cc: @KevinOConnorNBA)… pic.twitter.com/QwQflQ3Pbu – 8:05 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
The Starting Lineup with @TheFrankIsola & Ryan McDonough is on the air!
🏀 James Harden’s Big Night
🏀 Knicks-Lakers Reaction
🏀 Ja Morant Returns Tonight
📻 Listen Live: siriusxm.us/NBARadioLive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.twitter.com/vYz7yQcm8h – 7:02 AM
The Starting Lineup with @TheFrankIsola & Ryan McDonough is on the air!
🏀 James Harden’s Big Night
🏀 Knicks-Lakers Reaction
🏀 Ja Morant Returns Tonight
📻 Listen Live: siriusxm.us/NBARadioLive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.twitter.com/vYz7yQcm8h – 7:02 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Final: Knicks 114, Lakers 109
LA has lost three of four games since the IST championship. They drop to 15-12 overall and 10-3 at home. LeBron had a triple-double: 25 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. AD had 32 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Up next: at CHI on Wednesday. – 12:58 AM
Final: Knicks 114, Lakers 109
LA has lost three of four games since the IST championship. They drop to 15-12 overall and 10-3 at home. LeBron had a triple-double: 25 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. AD had 32 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Up next: at CHI on Wednesday. – 12:58 AM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Lakers lose to the Knicks, 114-109, and fall to 1-3 since the in-season tourney on the same night they unveil the IST banner. LeBron 25p 11a 10r for 109th career triple-double; AD 32p 14r 2b; Reaves 20p 7a. Three-game roadie thru CHI, MIN & OKC up next. – 12:57 AM
Lakers lose to the Knicks, 114-109, and fall to 1-3 since the in-season tourney on the same night they unveil the IST banner. LeBron 25p 11a 10r for 109th career triple-double; AD 32p 14r 2b; Reaves 20p 7a. Three-game roadie thru CHI, MIN & OKC up next. – 12:57 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
LeBron tonight:
25 PTS
10 REB
11 AST
0-2 in games with a triple-double this season. statmuse.com/nba/player/leb… – 12:57 AM
LeBron tonight:
25 PTS
10 REB
11 AST
0-2 in games with a triple-double this season. statmuse.com/nba/player/leb… – 12:57 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I trust LeBron and AD fully.
I trust Reaves on offense and Vanderbilt and Reddish on defense. I trust Taurean on the road but not at home.
That’s about it on the trust front. I’d really like it if there was one more guy in there somewhere I could trust night in, night out. – 12:49 AM
I trust LeBron and AD fully.
I trust Reaves on offense and Vanderbilt and Reddish on defense. I trust Taurean on the road but not at home.
That’s about it on the trust front. I’d really like it if there was one more guy in there somewhere I could trust night in, night out. – 12:49 AM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
AD to LeBron has Crypto Arena ROCKING 🔥
(via @NBATV)
pic.twitter.com/9nw9zrNBxL – 12:48 AM
AD to LeBron has Crypto Arena ROCKING 🔥
(via @NBATV)
pic.twitter.com/9nw9zrNBxL – 12:48 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Most triple-doubles by a player after their 15th season:
35 — LeBron James
20 — Everyone else in NBA history combined statmuse.com/nba/player/leb… – 12:47 AM
Most triple-doubles by a player after their 15th season:
35 — LeBron James
20 — Everyone else in NBA history combined statmuse.com/nba/player/leb… – 12:47 AM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LAL ripped off a 8-2 run at the right time, after falling behind by 10 with 5:47 to play, as LeBron and AD each scored twice in the Knicks paint.
NYK leads 103-99 with 3:36 to go. – 12:42 AM
LAL ripped off a 8-2 run at the right time, after falling behind by 10 with 5:47 to play, as LeBron and AD each scored twice in the Knicks paint.
NYK leads 103-99 with 3:36 to go. – 12:42 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
What a sequence for LA: They force a jump ball, win it, AD throws the outlet pass to a streaking LeBron for the transition dunk to trim the deficit to just four points. New York leads 103-99 with 3:36 left. – 12:41 AM
What a sequence for LA: They force a jump ball, win it, AD throws the outlet pass to a streaking LeBron for the transition dunk to trim the deficit to just four points. New York leads 103-99 with 3:36 left. – 12:41 AM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LAL’s starters around LeBron and AD have struggled tonight offensively, going a collective 6 for 21 (Russell 3 for 10, Prince 3 for 11, Reddish 2 for 9).
Reaves (17 points) and Hachimura (8) have picked the scoring slack up off the pine, but LAL are at just 40.7% overall. – 12:37 AM
LAL’s starters around LeBron and AD have struggled tonight offensively, going a collective 6 for 21 (Russell 3 for 10, Prince 3 for 11, Reddish 2 for 9).
Reaves (17 points) and Hachimura (8) have picked the scoring slack up off the pine, but LAL are at just 40.7% overall. – 12:37 AM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Taj Gibson just defended LeBron James and all the folks in the 40 and older leagues at rec centers around the nation shuddered in fear that they could soon be facing them. – 12:24 AM
Taj Gibson just defended LeBron James and all the folks in the 40 and older leagues at rec centers around the nation shuddered in fear that they could soon be facing them. – 12:24 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Third quarter: Knicks 90, Lakers 80
New York closed the quarter on a 15-2 run. AD has 23 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks. LeBron has 14 points and 8 assists. Austin Reaves has 14 points and 5 assists. LA is shooting just 42.1%. – 12:19 AM
Third quarter: Knicks 90, Lakers 80
New York closed the quarter on a 15-2 run. AD has 23 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks. LeBron has 14 points and 8 assists. Austin Reaves has 14 points and 5 assists. LA is shooting just 42.1%. – 12:19 AM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
LeBron, after a 3 for 10 first half, opens the 3rd Q with a lefty layup and a 3-pointer to put the Lakers up 63-57, their biggest lead. – 11:53 PM
LeBron, after a 3 for 10 first half, opens the 3rd Q with a lefty layup and a 3-pointer to put the Lakers up 63-57, their biggest lead. – 11:53 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Halftime: Lakers 58, Knicks 57
Anthony Davis’ mid-range jumper with 0.1 seconds left gives the Lakers their first lead since the 5:19 mark of the first quarter. AD has 13 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks. LeBron has 7 points. Austin Reaves has 11 points and 4 assists. – 11:37 PM
Halftime: Lakers 58, Knicks 57
Anthony Davis’ mid-range jumper with 0.1 seconds left gives the Lakers their first lead since the 5:19 mark of the first quarter. AD has 13 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks. LeBron has 7 points. Austin Reaves has 11 points and 4 assists. – 11:37 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
The Knicks shot 56.5% in the 1st Q, and 6 of 6 at the FT line, to take a 35-27 lead as the Lakers struggled to hit shots, converting only 10 for 27.
LeBron, AD, Russell and Reddish were all 1 for 4, and Prince 1 for 3. – 11:08 PM
The Knicks shot 56.5% in the 1st Q, and 6 of 6 at the FT line, to take a 35-27 lead as the Lakers struggled to hit shots, converting only 10 for 27.
LeBron, AD, Russell and Reddish were all 1 for 4, and Prince 1 for 3. – 11:08 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
The Jazz with a terrific close to the third quarter, turning an almost game long deficit into an 88-82 lead……That Kris Dunn/Agbaji lob looked like Wade/LeBron from a photo op standpoint…..Utah running, defending, playing good basketball – 10:52 PM
The Jazz with a terrific close to the third quarter, turning an almost game long deficit into an 88-82 lead……That Kris Dunn/Agbaji lob looked like Wade/LeBron from a photo op standpoint…..Utah running, defending, playing good basketball – 10:52 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
The Memphis Grizzlies have waived F/C Kenneth Lofton Jr., league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The move allows the Grizzlies to keep Bismack Biyombo as star guard Ja Morant makes his season debut Tuesday in New Orleans. – 10:43 PM
The Memphis Grizzlies have waived F/C Kenneth Lofton Jr., league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The move allows the Grizzlies to keep Bismack Biyombo as star guard Ja Morant makes his season debut Tuesday in New Orleans. – 10:43 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Lakers’ starters vs. New York:
D’Angelo Russell
Taurean Prince
Cam Reddish
LeBron James
Anthony Davis
Record as starters: 8-2 – 10:18 PM
Lakers’ starters vs. New York:
D’Angelo Russell
Taurean Prince
Cam Reddish
LeBron James
Anthony Davis
Record as starters: 8-2 – 10:18 PM
Mark Giannotto @mgiannotto
So 6-19 without Ja Morant. Just stunning when you consider how good this franchise has been in the regular season the past 2 years. Never would have guessed it would be this bad, even after the Steven Adams news right before the season started. – 10:10 PM
So 6-19 without Ja Morant. Just stunning when you consider how good this franchise has been in the regular season the past 2 years. Never would have guessed it would be this bad, even after the Steven Adams news right before the season started. – 10:10 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
LeBron and AD are available — and as an aside Cam Reddish said hellos to NY media, but refused to answer any questions — saying his time in NY is over. – 10:07 PM
LeBron and AD are available — and as an aside Cam Reddish said hellos to NY media, but refused to answer any questions — saying his time in NY is over. – 10:07 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Update:
Anthony Davis (left adductor/hip spasm), LeBron James (left calf contusion), D’Angelo Russell (non-COVID illness), Jarred Vanderbilt (low back spasm) and Christian Wood (non-COVID illness) have been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game vs. New York. – 9:54 PM
Update:
Anthony Davis (left adductor/hip spasm), LeBron James (left calf contusion), D’Angelo Russell (non-COVID illness), Jarred Vanderbilt (low back spasm) and Christian Wood (non-COVID illness) have been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game vs. New York. – 9:54 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
The Lakers are back to almost full strength tonight vs. NYK: AD, LeBron, D-Lo, Vanderbilt, C-Wood were all just upgraded to available by the team. – 9:52 PM
The Lakers are back to almost full strength tonight vs. NYK: AD, LeBron, D-Lo, Vanderbilt, C-Wood were all just upgraded to available by the team. – 9:52 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Anthony Davis, LeBron James, D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood are all available tonight, per the Lakers.
Only Gabe Vincent and Jalen Hood-Schifino are out. – 9:52 PM
Anthony Davis, LeBron James, D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Christian Wood are all available tonight, per the Lakers.
Only Gabe Vincent and Jalen Hood-Schifino are out. – 9:52 PM
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
LAKERS STATUS UPDATE:
Anthony Davis (left adductor/hip spasm), LeBron James (left calf contusion), D’Angelo Russell (non-COVID illness), Jarred Vanderbilt (low back spasm) and Christian Wood (non-COVID illness) have been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game vs. New York. – 9:51 PM
LAKERS STATUS UPDATE:
Anthony Davis (left adductor/hip spasm), LeBron James (left calf contusion), D’Angelo Russell (non-COVID illness), Jarred Vanderbilt (low back spasm) and Christian Wood (non-COVID illness) have been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game vs. New York. – 9:51 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
Anthony Davis (left adductor/hip spasm), LeBron James (left calf contusion), D’Angelo Russell (non-COVID illness), Jarred Vanderbilt (low back spasm) and Christian Wood (non-COVID illness) have been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game vs. New York. – 9:51 PM
Anthony Davis (left adductor/hip spasm), LeBron James (left calf contusion), D’Angelo Russell (non-COVID illness), Jarred Vanderbilt (low back spasm) and Christian Wood (non-COVID illness) have been upgraded to AVAILABLE for tonight’s game vs. New York. – 9:51 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Thunder starters vs Grizzlies
SGA
Dort
Giddey
JDub
Chet
Memphis’s last game before the return of Ja Morant. – 7:51 PM
Thunder starters vs Grizzlies
SGA
Dort
Giddey
JDub
Chet
Memphis’s last game before the return of Ja Morant. – 7:51 PM
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Luka Doncic is making 82.1% of his unassisted shots in the restricted area in the half court.
Better than even Giannis. Better than LeBron. Better than anyone. This is #1 in the NBA.
More stats and thoughts on @ringer: theringer.com/nba/2023/12/18… – 3:32 PM
Luka Doncic is making 82.1% of his unassisted shots in the restricted area in the half court.
Better than even Giannis. Better than LeBron. Better than anyone. This is #1 in the NBA.
More stats and thoughts on @ringer: theringer.com/nba/2023/12/18… – 3:32 PM
Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Kevin Durant. Nikola Jokic. LeBron James.
Victor Wembanyama has checked off all of the above. Now, comes his 1st meeting with one of the players he says he’s “studied the most.”
On the 19-year-old’s admiration for Giannis and what they share in common.
expressnews.com/sports/spurs/a… – 1:16 PM
Kevin Durant. Nikola Jokic. LeBron James.
Victor Wembanyama has checked off all of the above. Now, comes his 1st meeting with one of the players he says he’s “studied the most.”
On the 19-year-old’s admiration for Giannis and what they share in common.
expressnews.com/sports/spurs/a… – 1:16 PM
More on this storyline
Julia Poe: Alex Caruso speaks to the longevity of LeBron James as the Bulls prepare to face the Lakers this week: “I have to put it in perspective… We see it from him year after year after year after year. You can get blinded by the greatness he puts up.” pic.twitter.com/ip1ZJXBPI0 -via Twitter @byjuliapoe / December 19, 2023
Then a black curtain that covered the banner was lowered to display the new decor. “I think it’s awesome,” LeBron James said after finishing with 25 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds to notch the 109th triple-double of his career. “To be able to acknowledge wins throughout the course of a marathon, I think that’s pretty cool. That’s the first, the inauguration of it. We were able to win it. So, for our fans that didn’t get an opportunity to be in Vegas, they got an opportunity to kind of share that celebration with us tonight, share that moment, something that will live on forever for sure here. So, it was a good moment.” -via ESPN / December 19, 2023
The first career meeting of LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama was the top live sporting event of Friday, December 15. Friday’s Lakers-Spurs NBA regular season game averaged 1.46 million viewers on ESPN, up 6% from Lakers-Sixers on the equivalent night of last season (1.38M) and the most-watched sporting event of the day. The Knicks-Suns nightcap chipped in 1.28 million, down 15% from Bucks-Mavericks a year ago (1.50M). -via Sports Media Watch / December 19, 2023
Privately, the Grizzlies hope that Morant has learned from the suspensions, the public apologies and the embarrassment. They hope this time away from playing has allowed him to mature and be the leader the franchise expects and needs. But uncertainty still looms. “I honestly feel like I can’t go away from being Ja,” Morant said. “I feel like that’s the most important thing, not trying to lose myself or be somebody that I’m not or act totally different, but the change will be my decision-making and how I go about my daily life of being a NBA player, a father, a role model, a brother, a son, and just focusing in on that being the best Ja I can be.” -via ESPN / December 19, 2023
Morant’s absence loomed as the team fell further, week after week. During the suspension, he largely avoided headlines. He was spotted at a concert in late November. He was spotted at some Memphis-area high school basketball games. Beyond that, Morant has remained in the background, which some team sources said they’ve appreciated. “He’s a hardworking motherf—er. I know that,” Rose told ESPN. “I’m proud of him, very proud of him. Never complains. He’s there early, there after, at shootaround, practices. He’s doing everything the team wants him to do, and I’m just happy that he’s creating his own reality and his own bubble. You can just see it. You haven’t heard anything about him. And that’s a great thing.” -via ESPN / December 19, 2023
ClutchPoints: In honor of Ja Morant making his season debut tonight, here is a look back at some of the best poster dunks of his career 🔥 (via @NBA ) -via Twitter / December 19, 2023