Morant (hand) returns to start for Grizzlies in G3

LOS ANGELES — Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant dazzled in defeat during Game 3 against the Lakers, finishing with 45 points, nine rebounds and 13 assists in his return after missing a game due to a bruised right hand.

The Grizzlies announced about an hour before the 111-101 loss Saturday that Morant would play and be in the starting lineup.

Morant scored 22 straight points for the Grizzlies in the fourth quarter as their comeback attempt fell short. According to ESPN Stats & Information, only two other players have scored at least 22 straight points for their team in a playoff game: LeBron James (25) in 2007 and Kobe Bryant (23) in 2010.

“I never lacked the confidence,” Morant said. “Once it was a go, I’m always confident.”

Morant’s performance drew kudos from James, who had 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists for the Lakers.

“That boy’s good,” James said. “I mean, he’s good. He’s so good at attacking the rim that you want to try to keep bodies in front of him, make him try to work on the perimeter. Well, tonight he made six 3’s. That’s a guy that gets going on the outside and he can do whatever he wants offensively.”

Morant first hurt his hand during the Grizzlies’ April 7 win at the Milwaukee Bucks. He aggravated the bruise when he used the hand to break his fall after charging into Anthony Davis during the fourth quarter of Memphis’ Game 1 loss to the Lakers on Sunday, when Morant finished with 18 points, two assists and six turnovers.

Morant, who wore a black wrap with padding to protect his hand, was a full participant in Friday’s practice and Saturday’s shootaround before being cleared to play in Game 3.

“After shootaround, I went through some little processes to test it out,” Morant said. “Obviously during shootaround, I got a couple shots up, tried catching the ball, dribbled a little bit, was still hesitant around that time. And then after a while with that process I went through, I started gaining a little more confidence that I have to have to play, and then I know once I’m out there my adrenaline gets going. So that takes some of the pain away.”

The Grizzlies trail 2-1 in the first-round series. Game 4 is Monday.