ATLANTA (AP) — Ja Morant returned to the starting lineup for Memphis and scored 27 points as the Grizzlies held off the Atlanta Hawks 123-119 on Sunday night for their sixth straight win.
Desmond Bane added 25 points for Memphis, turning up two baskets in the fourth quarter after Atlanta had pulled within one point.
Memphis is second in the Western Conference despite going 15-22 on the road. But the longest active streak in the NBA, with six straight wins, includes two road victories.
Morant received a standing ovation from a packed arena crowd in Atlanta at the team introduction ceremony. In his first two games after serving an eight-game suspension by the NBA for appearing on video with a firearm while at a Denver nightclub, he was a substitute.
A three-point play by Atlanta’s Saddiq Bey cut the Grizzlies’ lead to 98-87 before Bane responded with a jumper. AJ Griffin got the Hawks within one again, but Bane responded with another basket.