Ja Morant returns from 5-game absence in loss to Rockets
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant returned to the lineup in Thursday's 119-115 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Morant contributed a team-high 27 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes of action.
Rockets big man Alperen Sengun scored a game-high 32 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Green added in 27 points.
Morant, the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year, was in the starting five. He missed the previous five games because of an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder.
That was the 25-year-old's second lengthy absence of the season; he also missed eight games in November because of hip and pelvis injuries.
Morant was averaging 21.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.9 assists on 45.4% shooting through 20 games entering Thursday.
The Grizzlies also got back forward Santi Aldama, who was out for the past six games because of a sprained left ankle. Desmond Bane was also in the starting lineup after missing Monday's victory over the Dallas Mavericks with a sprained left ankle.
Aldama put up 12 points in 23 minutes, and Bane notched 16 points including two 3-pointers.
Memphis is now 24-14 and sits third in the Western Conference.