Ja Morant scores 17 points off...

Ja Morant is officially back for the Memphis Grizzlies, albeit his comeback will be slow. In his first game since March 3, the All-Star point guard scored 17 points off the bench on 6-of-13 shooting, five assists, four rebounds, and two steals. The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Houston Rockets 130-125. Even when he came off the bench, Morant quickly asserted his dominance. He threw down another highlight-reel slam to start the second quarter.

Morant is likely to come off the bench again, as Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins stated before the game that he may do so "for a couple games."

Tee Morant, Morant's father, was also present, wearing a sweatshirt with his son and the slogan "Redemption" on it. Morant's performance came after a lengthy absence from the squad due to a series of unsettling revelations regarding his and his entourage's off-court behavior, which culminated in an eight-game ban by the NBA.

Morant flashing a pistol while at a stripclub on Instagram Live was the straw that broke the camel's back, but claims involving firearms, threats, and violence had been a recurring issue. Morant's crew reportedly intimidated and harassed Indiana Pacers personnel with a laser, potentially from a rifle, while driving past in an SUV. Morant's group was accused of pushing a Memphis mall security guard in the head and Morant himself of threatening the man. After a pick-up game gone awry, Morant reportedly beat up a teenage lad and threatened him with a pistol.

All of that ended up being treated with treatment. In a recent interview with ESPN's Jalen Rose, Morant described his treatment after being sidelined by the Grizzlies:

"I feel mentally good in a way I haven't felt in a long time." I'm at a place where I'm really at ease. I was continuously in contact with therapists. I've been practicing Reiki. I've been trying anxiety breathing and other things to help me control it and get it out of my body.

Morant informed reporters before his comeback that he was "not completely better," but he was eligible to return because the NBA considered his lost games as time served for his ban. Where that path takes him will almost certainly be as significant to the Grizzlies' future as anything he does on the floor.