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NBA Power Rankings: How Ja Morant's return could shake up the stretch run in the West

The Memphis Grizzlies are hopeful to get Ja Morant back on the floor Wednesday against the Houston Rockets. Morant's recent eight-game suspension shook some of the momentum the Grizzlies were riding to a potential top seed in the West prior to March 4.

But with its star point guard returning to practice, Memphis is still in striking distance to make a run at claiming home-court advantage in the Western Conference playoffs, especially with the top-seeded Denver Nuggets losing five of their last seven games.

At one point, the Nuggets held a seven-game lead for the top spot in the West and Nikola Jokic looked like a lock to win a third consecutive MVP award.