Ja Morant hits stunning game winner on his NBA return following 25-game suspension as the Grizzlies stage stunning comeback to beat the Pelicans in New Orleans

Ja Morant made an emphatic return to NBA action on Tuesday night when he scored the game winner to give the Grizzlies the victory over the Pelicans.

Morant took the field for the first time this season when Memphis took on the Pelicans in New Orleans after serving a 25-game suspension for gunplay.

He was met by an angry response from the crowd in Louisiana earlier in the evening, with him booing and jeering throughout.

But he put in an excellent performance and gave the Grizzles a remarkable victory upon his return.

Footage from earlier in the evening from the arena showed him being booed as he was introduced to the crowd beforehand.

As he picked up the ball, boos continued to rain from the arena after his lengthy absence from the field.

However, it didn't take long for him to score his first points of the season. Morant beat the Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas on a rebound before scoring in the first quarter.

Morant was fouled early in the first quarter and received a deafening cheer as he stepped to the free-throw line.

Despite Morant's return, the Grizzlies struggled and trailed 60-41 at halftime.

Morant played 16 minutes in the first half, scoring seven points and adding three assists. He also managed only one rebound.

“He's excited,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said before the game.

“Since the start of the season he has put in a lot of work and been involved with the team as much as possible. Now he gets this opportunity here at Game 26.

“Super excited to see him go out there and just have fun.” He and I talked about that.

Footage from the arena showed him being booed as he was introduced to the crowd

Morant was singing with friends when he was caught holding a gun during a livestream video

“It takes a lot of work, go out there, have fun, build chemistry with your teammates and just enjoy this opportunity to get back on the floor.”

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft, 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year and 2022 Most Improved Player has been suspended for a total of 33 games since he was first caught flashing a gun during a live stream on March 4 on social media.

Morant first told reporters after the Los Angeles Lakers ousted Memphis from the playoffs in April that he needed to make better decisions because he knew off-court issues were impacting the Grizzlies' season.

Just two weeks later, Morant was singing with friends when he was caught holding a gun during a livestream video. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver weighed the situation and announced the second suspension, along with other steps Morant needed to take.

Under the terms of his suspension, Morant was able to practice and travel with the Grizzlies and participate in morning shootouts. But he was not allowed to be in an arena with his team during games.