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Why Ja Morant's return, Jaren Jackson Jr.'s surge raises the ceiling for the Grizzlies

Three weeks ago, the Memphis Grizzlies were being hit with so much bad news that it felt like a first-round playoff exit was a strong possibility. Ja Morant was suspended, Steven Adams' return from a knee injury was delayed, Brandon Clarke tore his Achilles and Dillon Brooks served the first of two one-game suspensions.

Fast forward to now, the Grizzlies are two games ahead of the Sacramento Kings for the No. 2 seed and have won 10 straight home games. The recent stretch includes winning six of seven games overall, and the return of Morant.

The Grizzlies (45-27) have also gotten one of the best stretches of play from Jaren Jackson Jr. in his five-year career.

On this episode of the Commercial Appeal's Grizzlies podcast, reporters Damichael Cole and Evan Barnes discuss how Morant looked in his return, Jackson's breakout and the Western Conference playoff picture.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Grizzlies Podcast: Ja Morant's return, Western Conference playoffs