Hornets’ LaMelo Ball (right) and Grizzlies’ Ja Morant want to stay healthy to help their teams improve their standings in 2024-2025.

Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball, two of the league’s most promising young stars, will return to the field for the 2024-2025 season after both players suffered from injuries last season: Morant was sidelined with a shoulder injury and Ball was ruled out with persistent ankle problems.

Morant will resume his starting point guard duties for Memphis on Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz. The Grizzlies center has looked sharp in limited preseason action, putting up 15 points per game and shooting 52% over two outings.

Morant’s return is crucial to Memphis’ return to the West’s top teams. Prior to last season, the Grizzlies captured second place in the West in consecutive years (2021-22, 2022-23). Morant was the driving force behind those campaigns and despite not going deep into the play-offs, the young squad gained valuable play-off experience.

With Morant expected to return to form, the Grizzlies are poised to reclaim their spot as a top contender in the Western Conference.

As for Ball, the 23-year-old guard hopes to revitalize the Charlotte Hornets and re-establish them as a competitive force in the East. Despite showing the promise of a future star in his first four seasons, Ball’s ankle issues have limited him to just 58 total games over the past two years. The Hornets want to reach the play-offs for the first time in almost ten years (2015-2016).

Ball could be the missing piece to a promising young core that includes Brandon Miller, the No. 2 overall pick for 2023. The combination of Ball and Miller could create one of the most exciting young backcourts in the Eastern Conference Miller had a strong rookie season and looked sharp in the preseason.

As things stand now, neither the Grizzlies nor Hornets may be expected to challenge for a title this season, but there is a chance that full seasons from both Morant and Ball could dramatically improve their standings within their respective conferences.

For the Grizzlies, a rise in the Western Conference standings is within reach given their rise in Morant’s last two full seasons. It’s possible that Memphis not only returns to the postseason, but also earns a top seed.

A playoff spot is within reach for the Hornets, provided Ball can stay healthy. His electrifying playmaking ability will give this team a major jolt as the season progresses.

Both players are must-watch on NBA League Pass this season, starting tonight when Ball and the Hornets take on the Rockets (8 AND) and later when Morant and the Grizzlies take on the Jazz (9 AND).