Grizzlies’ Ja Morant named player of week fresh off suspension

Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant was named Western Conference player of the week Tuesday after leading a struggling Memphis team to its first three-game winning streak this season.

Morant made his season debut last Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans, returning from a 25-game suspension with a 34-point performance, including a game-winning floater at the buzzer. He had 20 points and 8 assists in his next game against the Indiana Pacers then 30 points and 11 assists against Atlanta on Saturday.

He averaged 28.0 points, 9.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds in those three games.

Morant was suspended after brandishing a gun in an Instagram Live video in May, two months after serving an eight-game suspension for a similar incident in March. His absence had derailed the Grizzlies' season, as they entered Morant's debut 6-19.

However, the three-game winning streak since Morant's return has kept the Grizzlies within striking distance of the play-in tournament.

Morant, 24, has won three player of the week awards during his career.