Southwest Notes: Morant, Zion, Rockets, Oladipo

Off to a 2-8 start, the Grizzlies need Ja Morant back as soon as possible, but that won’t happen for at least 15 more games, writes Beth Harris of The Associated Press. The dynamic guard is still serving out his suspension for displaying a gun twice on social media. The NBA isn’t permitting him to be in the arena when Memphis is playing, but coach Taylor Jenkins said he’s closely involved with everything else the team does.

“He’s got a great positive attitude throughout this,” Jenkins said. “I know it can be frustrating for him, the team not having him around. We understand the circumstances.”

The earliest Morant could return is a December 19 game at New Orleans, but that date isn’t definite. Commissioner Adam Silver said Morant will be required to “formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior” before he can be reinstated. The details of that program haven’t been made public.

In the meantime, Morant has been working with the Grizzlies’ reserves in practice and has been “fully accepting” of his role, according to Jenkins, who hasn’t decided if Morant will start right away when his suspension is lifted.

“He’s pushing every button possible to get himself prepared, but also help this team as best as he can through his brilliant IQ, his care factor, his voice, his presence, the spirit he brings,” Jenkins said. “It’s been awesome to see him take on, I don’t want to say a leadership role, but just his investment in the group has been awesome.”

There’s more from the Southwest Division:

• After committing six turnovers on Sunday, Zion Williamson talked about the Pelicans‘ new offense, which he claims has forced him to take a “back seat” compared to last season, per Christian Clark of NOLA. Williamson’s 21.6 points and 8.6 made field goals per game through eight contests are the lowest figures of his career. “Last year, we had a team meeting,” he said. “We brought up some things I could do better. Especially with buying into the program. It’s tough right now. I’m taking a little back seat right now. And I’m trusting the process. I’m trying my best to buy in right now.”
• Nuggets coach Michael Malone noticed a stark difference in the new-look Rockets, who edged the defending champs Sunday night to pick up their sixth straight win, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. “They’re a different team,” Malone said. “Anytime you add an All-Star in Freddy VanVleet, and an All-Defense player in Dillon Brooks, a veteran in Jeff Green who helped us win a championship, a new coaching staff — obviously, (head coach Ime Udoka), his guys, have done a great job — they have a new identity, a new culture.”
• Rockets guard Victor Oladipo has been working out at the Bayern Munich facility in Germany as he recovers from a patellar tendon injury in his left knee, reports Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.