Rockets vs. Grizzlies Wednesday NBA injury report, odds: Ja Morant set to return, but no opening point total at sportsbooks as All-Star may come off bench

Memphis Grizzlies All-Star point guard Ja Morant was officially eligible to return from his NBA suspension Monday, but he and the team opted to wait one more game for conditioning reasons. He will instead play Wednesday vs. the Houston Rockets, who are 13-point road underdogs. No opening point total (or any other props) has been posted for Morant tonight at the various sportsbooks because his minutes will be limited, and the former No. 2 overall pick might come off the bench.

Morant has started all 240 games of his regular-season career but has told the team he's fine coming in as a reserve Wednesday as he works his way back to game shape. Without Morant this season, the Grizzlies are 10-8 and averaging 115.3 points per game – they do have a terrific backup in Tyus Jones, who would start for most teams. With Morant, the Grizz are 34-19 and averaging 116.2 PPG. Personally, he's averaging 27.1 points, 8.2 assists and 6.0 rebounds.

We last saw Morant on March 3 in a 16-point loss in Denver. Afterward, he was spotted on social media holding a gun and dancing without a shirt at an area strip club. No charges were filed for the gun possession by local authorities, but Morant stepped away from the team for counseling "to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and [his] overall well-being." The NBA suspended him eight games for conduct detrimental to the league. He lost $668,659 in salary.

Morant has major financial incentives to close the season strong. Last summer, Morant signed a five-year contract extension with the Grizzlies that starts next season and guarantees him $192.2 million. However, if Morant is named to any of the All-NBA teams this season, he would earn a $39.2 million bonus. It's a one-year chance at that bonus.

The 23-year-old has said he won't be as active on social media as in the past and temporarily deactivated his Instagram and Twitter accounts following the strip club incident. Morant also said he won't be going out as much. Often in the past, Morant has showcased himself in Instagram Live and YouTube videos going out with his friends.

Coach Taylor Jenkins said Morant will be playing limited minutes that will be determined by the medical staff, which also could determine whether Morant is in the starting lineup.

"There is a chance that he might come off the bench for a couple of games," Jenkins said. "Then we get him back in the starting lineup. Not fully committed to one way or the other, but he and I have fully engaged in that with the medical team, so Ja is fully aware and supportive of whichever direction we go."

Memphis (44-27) still has an outside shot to catch Denver (48-24) for the West's top seed. The Grizzlies enter on a three-game winning streak. They have the NBA's best home record at 30-5 and have won a season-high nine in a row at FedExForum. Memphis is 2-0 vs. the Rockets this season, both played in Houston. Morant averaged 34.5 PPG in the two. The Grizzlies will be without starting small forward Dillon Brooks (14.2 PPG), who was suspended for one game after receiving his 18th technical foul of the season Monday.

Houston (18-54) is in full-blown tank mode and has the NBA's second-worst record. It plays again Friday in Memphis to conclude the season series. The Rockets often sit players but as of now, no key contributors are listed on the injury report. 

So which 2023 Fantasy baseball busts, breakouts, and sleepers should you target or fade in your drafts? Visit SportsLine's Fantasy baseball cheat sheets now to get rankings for every single position, all from the model that called Joey Votto's disappointing season, and find out.