---
title: "Unbeaten Grizzlies Face Ja Morant, Blazers in Portland"
url: https://www.herememphis.com/2026/10/29/unbeaten-grizzlies-face-ja-morant-blazers-portland/
date: 2026-10-29T06:43:09-05:00
modified: 2026-10-29T06:43:09-05:00
author: "Romeo Fonseca"
categories: ["Sports"]
site: "HEREMemphis"
attribution: "HEREMemphis"
---

# Unbeaten Grizzlies Face Ja Morant, Blazers in Portland

> PORTLAND, Ore. — Two of the NBA's unbeaten teams meet Thursday night when the Memphis Grizzlies, 4-0, visit the Portland Trail Blazers, 3-0, at the Moda Center, and the matchup carries extra weight in Memphis because of the guard wearing the other jersey. It is the first time Ja Morant will face the Grizzlies since

*Source: [HEREMemphis](https://www.herememphis.com/2026/10/29/unbeaten-grizzlies-face-ja-morant-blazers-portland/) — October 29, 2026 by Romeo Fonseca*

PORTLAND, Ore. — Two of the NBA’s unbeaten teams meet Thursday night when the Memphis Grizzlies, 4-0, visit the Portland Trail Blazers, 3-0, at the Moda Center, and the matchup carries extra weight in Memphis because of the guard wearing the other jersey.

It is the first time Ja Morant will face the Grizzlies since Memphis traded him to Portland in the offseason. Morant told reporters Wednesday that he holds nothing against Memphis and plans to treat the night like any other game. He said he still talks with some former teammates and keeps up with their games, and that he gets along with everyone in the organization.

Morant spent seven seasons in Memphis after the Grizzlies drafted him second overall in 2019. He won Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player, made two All-Star teams and an All-NBA second team, and helped lead Memphis to four playoff trips, though the team won only one series in that stretch.

His last season ended badly. Morant was suspended more than once for conduct the team called detrimental, and he drew a one-game suspension last November over comments about head coach Tuomas Iisalo. On Wednesday he accepted some of the blame for how things fell apart while saying not all of it was his doing.

He has started well in Portland, averaging 16.3 points and 6.3 assists while shooting 58.8% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range through three games.

Memphis, meanwhile, has not missed him yet. The Grizzlies bring a perfect record into Thursday’s game. Morant makes his first trip back to Memphis with the Blazers on Feb. 6.