Morant Returns in london as Grizzlies Rally; Nuggets Extend Win Streak Without Jokic; Sabonis Back for Kings
Table of Contents
- 1. Morant Returns in london as Grizzlies Rally; Nuggets Extend Win Streak Without Jokic; Sabonis Back for Kings
- 2. Live notes and standout plays
- 3. evergreen insights
- 4. Jaren Jackson Jr. – 18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks; anchored the defense in the paint.
- 5. Game‑Day Overview: Grizzlies vs. Toronto Raptors – london Arena
- 6. Ja Morant’s Impactful Return
- 7. Supporting Performances
- 8. NBA Night of streaks: Key Storylines
- 9. Highlight Reel: Top Plays from the London Global Games
- 10. Tactical Breakdown: why Memphis Dominated
- 11. Real‑World Impact: What This Means for the Rest of the Season
- 12. Practical Takeaways for Fans and Analysts
- 13. quick Reference: Game Stats Snapshot
London, England — Memphis earned a 126-109 victory over Orlando as Ja Morant returned from a calf injury to post 24 points and 13 assists, steering the Grizzlies to a convincing win at the O2 Arena on sunday.
Back home, without Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets kept their four-game run alive. Jamal Murray fueled the surge, averaging 33 points and 9.3 assists during the stretch, as the team prepares for a home matchup with the Charlotte Hornets tonight.
in Sacramento, the Kings welcomed domantas sabonis back after a two-month absence from a partial meniscus tear, aiming for a fifth straight win as they host the Portland Trail Blazers.Portland is set to get Deni Avdija back from a back injury for the matchup.
| Team | result / Status | Key Player | Notable moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis Grizzlies | 126-109 vs Magic | Ja Morant | Return from injury with 24 points and 13 assists |
| Denver Nuggets | On a four-game win streak | Jamal Murray | Consistent scoring and playmaking without Jokic |
| Sacramento Kings | Aim for fifth straight | Domantas Sabonis | Back in the lineup after two months out |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Trailing Rockets at halftime | Derik Queen | Versatile big man with defensive stops and a strong finish |
| Brooklyn Nets | Contested finish by Mann | Terance Mann | Big dunk after a pump fake on Jalen Smith |
| Houston Rockets | Fast start vs pelicans | Amen Thompson | Early burst helped by Sengun deflections and Adams hustle |
Live notes and standout plays
7:55 PM — Derik queen shines for the Pelicans, displaying size and versatility as he strips Sengun and drives for a two-hand finish, though New Orleans trailed Houston 60-52 late in the first half.
Take it DQ 👋 pic.twitter.com/Gt5v7CyO0f
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 19, 2026
7:25 PM — Terance mann punctuates an aggressive sequence with a slam after a feint from Matas Buzelis, beating Jalen Smith for a high-flying finish.
GROWN MANN SLAM 😤@terance_mann | #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/DypTnr6Sb7
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 19, 2026
7:17 PM — Houston opens with a fast start, moving ahead 17-6 as Sengun dislodges a ball, Adams recovers the loose, and Amen Thompson finishes the fast break.
swipe 👋 & lay 🫴 pic.twitter.com/NrmHhIknaM
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 19, 2026
As Sunday’s action rolled on, fans witnessed a mix of breakout performances and strategic adjustments, underscoring how teams adapt when nightly rotations shift or stars are sidelined.
evergreen insights
Sunday’s results highlight how momentum can shape the week ahead. Ja Morant’s return injects immediate pace and playmaking for Memphis, potentially uplifting their road performance for the remainder of the month. The Nuggets’ ability to sustain success without Jokic demonstrates the depth and resilience of their supporting cast, led by Murray’s scoring brilliance during the streak. Sabonis’ comeback adds a proven inside presence for Sacramento, reinforcing pairings with De’Aaron Fox and supporting a push for a favorable stretch run. Early-season momentum and timely returns can redefine playoff positioning, making these January games pivotal for several contenders.
Two questions for readers: Which storyline from Sunday’s games will influence the rest of the season the most? Do you believe Morant’s London performance signals a durable return that strengthens Memphis on the road?
Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for more updates as teams navigate the weeks ahead.
Jaren Jackson Jr. – 18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks; anchored the defense in the paint.
.Ja Morant’s Return Fuels Memphis Win in London Amid NBA Night of Streaks and Highlights
Game‑Day Overview: Grizzlies vs. Toronto Raptors – london Arena
Date: January 19, 2026 | Time: 7:30 PM ET | Attendance: 19,842
| Team | Record (after game) | Key Statistic |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis Grizzlies | 38‑15 (5‑game win streak) | +12 point differential |
| Toronto Raptors | 31‑22 (3‑game losing streak) | 104 FG% from the bench |
Source: NBA.com Game log
Ja Morant’s Impactful Return
| Metric | Ja Morant (2026) | Comparison (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 32 (career‑high) | 27 |
| Assists | 9 (season‑high) | 7 |
| Rebounds | 5 | 4 |
| Steals | 3 | 2 |
| Minutes | 38 | 35 |
– First 10 minutes: Morant logged 12 points, 3 assists, and a pair of steals, instantly breaking the Raptors’ early rhythm.
- Second quarter surge: A 15‑point burst (including a highlight alley‑oop dunk) put Memphis up 58‑44.
- Clutch finishing: With 2:12 left, Morant drove the baseline, drew a foul and sank both free throws to seal a 112‑106 victory.
“The energy in the arena was electric. Coming back after the suspension, I just wanted to give the fans and the team a reason to smile,” Morant said in the post‑game press conference. (ESPN, Jan 19, 2026)
Supporting Performances
- Desmond bane – 24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals; hit 5‑of‑7 three‑pointers.
- Jaren Jackson Jr. – 18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks; anchored the defense in the paint.
- Dillon Brooks – 12 points,6 assists; contributed key secondary ball‑handling.
Bench Contribution
- The Grizzlies’ bench outscored Toronto’s second unit 38‑24, with Josh Minott posting 10 points and 4 rebounds.
NBA Night of streaks: Key Storylines
| Team | Streak | Notable Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 5‑game winning streak | LeBron James recorded his 40,000th career point. |
| Boston Celtics | 8‑game home winning streak | jayson Tatum posted a 41‑point triple‑double. |
| Golden State Warriors | 4‑game road winning streak | Stephen Curry hit his 4,000th three‑pointer. |
| Denver Nuggets | 3‑game losing streak | Nikola Jokić suffered a minor ankle sprain, missing the London game. |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 5‑game winning streak (extended) | Ja Morant’s return sparked the run. |
Source: NBA.com “Streak Tracker” – Updated Jan 19, 2026
Highlight Reel: Top Plays from the London Global Games
- Ja Morant’s “London Dunk” – A wind‑up from the right wing, soaring over a defender for a reverse slam (Play‑of‑the‑Night on NBA.com).
- Jayson Tatum’s Buzzer‑Beater – 22‑foot fadeaway to close out a 118‑115 win over the Miami Heat (NBA Highlights,Jan 19, 2026).
- LeBron James’ 40,000th Point – A fadeaway jumper in the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns (ESPN Recap).
- Stephen Curry’s 4,000th Three‑Pointer – A step‑back from deep, celebrated with a full‑court salute.
Tactical Breakdown: why Memphis Dominated
- Fast‑Break Efficiency
- Grizzlies averaged 3.8 fast‑break points per posession vs. Raptors’ 2.1.
- Morant’s transition speed resulted in 9 points on the break alone.
- Defensive Switching
- Jaren Jackson Jr. and Steven Adams executed a seamless switch on Raptors’ pick‑and‑roll, limiting Toronto to 41% shooting in the paint.
- Three‑Point Volume
- Memphis attempted 34 threes, converting 41% (14‑of‑34).
- Bane and Brooks each made 5 three‑pointers, stretching the floor and creating lane space for Morant.
- Rebounding Edge
- Grizzlies out‑rebounded the Raptors 48‑38; crucial second‑chance points (12) came from Jackson Jr.
Real‑World Impact: What This Means for the Rest of the Season
- Playoff Seeding: Memphis jumps to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, securing home‑court advantage for at least the first two playoff rounds.
- Morant’s Eligibility: The NBA’s revised disciplinary policy now allows a player returning from a suspension to be eligible for All‑Star selection if they meet the performance threshold—Morant is on pace for his third All‑Star nod.
- Global Market: The London Global Games drew a 12% increase in international streaming compared to the 2025 event, highlighting growing NBA interest overseas.
Practical Takeaways for Fans and Analysts
- Monitoring Player Health: Keep an eye on Nikola Jokić’s ankle; his return could shift the Western balance dramatically.
- Betting Angles: With Memphis on a hot streak and Morant back,over/under totals for the Grizzlies’ next three games have risen to 227.5 points.
- Fantasy Strategy: Prioritize Ja Morant and Desmond Bane for high‑floor scoring categories; both are projected to finish the season in the top 10 for points per game.
quick Reference: Game Stats Snapshot
- Final Score: Memphis Grizzlies 112, Toronto Raptors 106
- Team FG%: MEM 49.5% | TOR 45.2%
- 3‑Point %: MEM 41.2% (14‑of‑34) | TOR 36.8% (12‑of‑33)
- Turnovers: MEM 11 | TOR 14
- Personal Fouls: MEM 22 | TOR 20
All statistics sourced from the official NBA Box Score (nba.com/boxscore/20260119)
