Replay: Memphis Grizzlies beat Pacers in Ja Morant's first home game of season

The streamers are back at FedExForum.

On Ja Morant’s first home game of the season, the Memphis Grizzlies dispatched the Indiana Pacers 116-103 Thursday. He scored 20 points and had eight assists, Desmond Bane led the game with 31 points, and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 21 points and eight rebounds.

The Pacers erased a 22-point second-quarter deficit and took an early third-quarter lead, but the Grizzlies fought back and took control of the game going into the fourth. They were spurred on by a raucous home crowd that showed out for Morant’s debut at FedExForum after the end of his 25-game suspension.

Morant returned from his 25-game suspension on Tuesday night in New Orleans and has now gone 2-0 so far this season. Memphis (8-19) has real momentum as it tries to climb back into the playoff picture.

The Grizzlies will be back in action Saturday in Atlanta against the Hawks.

Grizzlies vs. Pacers live score updates

Fourth quarter

5:59 left: Memphis still has a 16-point lead and just needs to hold on during the last few minutes to win Ja Morant's first home game of the season.

10:51 left: Santi Aldama hit a three-pointer to extend the Grizzlies lead to 95-79 and force a quick Pacers timeout.

Third quarter

End of quarter: Grizzlies 86, Pacers 77

Ziaire Williams hit a three-pointer with a few seconds remaining to extend the lead to nine points. It was an impressive turnaround for the Grizzlies after a rough start to the second half.

6:13 left: The Grizzlies took back the lead after briefly losing it and are ahead 74-69. Desmond Bane now has a game-high 19 points.

9:23 left: The Pacers have taken a 65-62 lead and forced a Taylor Jenkins timeout. The Grizzlies are still struggling after the Pacers cut down the lead throughout the second quarter.

Second quarter

End of first half: Grizzlies 58, Pacers 56

It was a wild comeback for the Pacers, who trail by only two points at the end of a half in which they trailed by as many as 22 points. Obi Toppin has 13 points, while Tyrese Haliburton has seven points and eight assists. Everything was rolling for the Grizzlies until the back half of the second quarter, when the Pacers started getting stops and making Memphis pay on the other end.

The first few minutes of the second half will be key for whichever team can grab the momentum.

5:18 left: The Grizzlies are still way in front and have an 18 point advantage a little over halfway through the quarter. Jackson has a game-high 14 points and has been locked in offensively.

First quarter

End of first quarter: Grizzlies 35, Pacers 22

4:02 left: The Grizzlies reeled off a 10-1 run after the last break, and Jaren Jackson Jr. hit a three-pointer to force a Pacers timeout. Memphis has a 25-16 lead and got a loud ovation from the crowd as the teams went to their respective benches.

6:23 left: FedExForum is packed for Ja Morant's return, and we're set up for a high-flying affair. Morant has six quick points at the first break, but it's tied at 15. Buddy Hield has six points to lead the Pacers.

FedExForum set to welcome Ja Morant back

Memphis Grizzlies fans finally get to see Ja Morant play again in person.

Morant returned from his 25-game suspension to start the NBA season with an electrifying performance on Tuesday, scoring 34 points and hitting the game-winning shot with no time remaining to seal an upset win over the Pelicans in New Orleans. Now he's set for his first home game back, when the Grizzlies play the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night at FedExForum.

Indiana (14-12) has had a good start and went all the way to the championship of the NBA In-Season Tournament. That's largely due to the play of breakout star Tyrese Haliburton, who is averaging 24.7 points and 12 assists per game this season.

The high-scoring Pacers are coming off a win over the Hornets but had lost four in a row before that. The Grizzlies (7-19) are looking to turn their season around after a rough start without Morant and a dealing with a slew of injured rotation players.

Follow along for live updates.

What channel is Grizzlies vs. Pacers on today?

• TV channel: Bally Sports Southeast

• Stream: Bally Sports app, FUBO (free trial)

Grizzlies vs. Pacers start time

• Date: Dec. 21

• Time: 7 p.m. CT

Grizzlies vs. Pacers betting odds

• SPREAD: Grizzlies -2.5

• MONEY LINE: Grizzlies -135, Pacers +115

• OVER/UNDER: 247.5

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Replay: Memphis Grizzlies beat Pacers in Ja Morant's return home