Ja Morant is back – and he might be better than ever!
The Memphis Grizzlies superstar scored a game-winner to cap an epic 27-point second half and lead his team past the New Orleans Pelicans in a 115-113 thriller.
His full line included 34 points on 12 of 24 shooting from the field, 10 of 12 from the line, adding six rebounds, eight assists, two steals and a block in 34 minutes, while the victory saw Memphis improve to 7-19 on the season.
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With the scores all tied at 113-113 after CJ McCollum’s missed three-pointer at the other end, the Grizzlies gave Morant the ball after a timeout and let him go to work.
He headed to the lane and, surrounded by several Pelicans defenders, nailed a tough shot through the pain that helped steal a big win for the visitors — and an even bigger comeback for Morant.
It made for something of a remarkable start to the season after Morant was suspended for the first 25 games of the season for brandishing a gun in an Instagram Live video.
Memphis and Morant sink the Pelicans | 01:42
“I’m a dog. I’ve worked hard, I haven’t played a game in eight months. I’ve had a lot of time to learn about myself, I’ve been through a lot of tough days. But basketball is my life, what I love and what is therapeutic for me,” he told TNT after the game.
“I’m just excited to be back.”
The Grizzlies, trailing by 17 at halftime, came alive in the third under Morant’s leadership.
Morant, after a quiet first half, looked at his best in the game – and like the Morant we’re used to – during a hot eight-point run from the star guard during that third quarter, which included consecutive finishes and a.
It was clear from that point on that Morant was officially rolling again, as he had to head to the bench for several minutes to catch his breath as Memphis suddenly had a spring in his step.
This continued throughout the fourth quarter as Griz gradually reclaimed the scoreboard, with Jaren Jackson Jr. tying the scores at 109-109 over the final two minutes of the fourth.
Morant made a layup on Memphis’ next offensive trip to give the visitors their first lead since the first term.
The two teams then traded buckets until Morant had the last laugh with the game winner, leading to joyous scenes in the Grizzlies camp as they huddled around the controversial superstar to celebrate after an otherwise difficult season to date.
Elsewhere, Jackson Jr. (24 points, six rebounds, three blocks) and Desmond Bane (21 points, five assists) also lit up for the Griz.
Brandon Ingram (34 points, six assists) and Jonas Valanciunas (22 points, 14 rebounds) led the way for the now 16-12 Pelicans, while Zion Williamson (13 points) remained quiet in a battle between the top two picks. of him and Morant from the 2019 NBA Draft.
STEPH’S DAGGER releases favorite tracks
And that’s why the Warriors can never be counted out with Steph Curry on the court.
The superstar had 33 points, including three daggers in overtime, to sink title favorites Boston 132-126 at home.
With Golden State’s season teetering on the brink, it was up to Curry and a temperamental but still important performance from Klay Thompson (24 points on nine-of-21 shooting) to save the day.
The Warriors trailed by 17 late in the third quarter before forcing overtime.
In the extra period, with the margin reduced to one and only 10 seconds remaining, an offensive rebound allowed the Warriors to shoot Curry who only found the net – and put the Celtics to sleep.
It was only the sixth loss of the year for the Celtics, all of which came on the road. They are 14-0 at home and now have a half-game lead over Milwaukee for the No. 1 seed.
As it stands, the Warriors are still out of play-in, at 13-14 ahead of only Utah, Memphis, Portland and San Antonio, and one game behind Phoenix.
“The GREATEST SHOOTER Ever Played” | 01:33
LILLARD MAKES HISTORY IN MAULING
Damian Lillard scored 40 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo had a triple-double and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the San Antonio Spurs 132-119.
It happened in a game where Lillard, who scored 19 of his 40 points in the first quarter alone to set himself up for a one-sided affair, became the 51st player in NBA history to score 20,000 points.
Lillard finished with 40 points and seven triples, while Antetokounmpo had 11 points, 14 rebounds and 16 assists and Bobby Portis added 23 points and 10 rebounds in a solid appearance coming off the bench.
With that, the Bucks picked up their fifth straight win and improved to 20-7 overall as Adrian Griffin’s team really starts to hit its stride.
Meanwhile, San Antonio, which was missing Victor Wembanyama due to ankle soreness – only the second game the star rookie and top draft pick has missed this season – fell to 4- 21 despite big games from Keldon Johnson (28 points, 12 rebounds). and Zach Collins (22 points, eight rebounds, two blocks).
ALL RESULTS
GRIZZLE 115 PELICANS 113
SPURS 119 DOLLARS 132
SUNS 104 TRAIL BLAZER 109
CELTICS 126 WARRIORS 132 (OT)
