Ja Morant is set to return from suspension, making him available for the upcoming Grizzlies vs. Pelicans game.
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In his season debut, Ja Morant, the star player for the Memphis Grizzlies, made a comeback against the New Orleans Pelicans, erasing a 24-point deficit to tie the score. With only 9.6 seconds remaining, Morant, dealing with fatigue and calf cramps, used a massage gun during a timeout. In a smart move, he suggested a play for his teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. to post up.
In a crucial game moment, Grizzlies shooting guard Desmond Bane rejected a different play and told Ja Morant, “You get the ball.” Morant shared, “At that point, I pretty much just had to lock in and go deliver. And I did.” This unfolded during the Grizzlies’ 115-113 win on Tuesday night.
In a thrilling ending, Ja Morant secured a victory for the Grizzlies with a buzzer-beater. Morant had an outstanding game, scoring 34 points, grabbing six rebounds, and providing eight assists. He pulled off a slick spin move to get past Pelicans defender Herbert Jones and made the winning shot just as time expired at the Smoothie King Center. This marked Morant’s inaugural game-winning buzzer-beater in his career.
Ja Morant made a powerful return, quieting New Orleans fans who had booed him earlier. His comeback followed a 25-game suspension for displaying a firearm on Instagram Live, which was his second such incident in two months. Despite the initial negativity, Morant’s teammates and numerous Grizzlies fans, including his father Tee and best friend Davonte Pack, erupted in celebration from courtside seats near the Memphis bench.
Ja Morant made a remarkable impact by scoring three crucial baskets in the last 90 seconds of the game, all while facing off against Jones. This achievement ties the record for the most significant baskets in the final 1:30 of a game in the past 25 years, a feat previously accomplished by Luka Doncic in 2019, as per ESPN Stats & Information.
Despite an eight-month break from game competition and struggling with his energy, Morant managed to score 27 of his 34 points in the second half. To boost his energy levels, Morant used an inhaler for an oxygen boost during the third quarter and again before the break before the fourth quarter.Ja Morant returned to the game with 8:17 left, and despite the Grizzlies being down by seven points, he had a significant impact. In the final 7:15, Morant scored 14 points, making five baskets in the paint from drives and sinking four free throws. Notably, he scored the last six points for the Grizzlies, playing a key role in their comeback.
“I’ve been working hard, but it’s nothing like NBA basketball, so that’s pretty much just doing the inhaler to try to get more oxygen in the body to be able to go out there and deliver,” explained Morant. “When I got back in at that eight-minute mark, they pretty much told me, ‘You’re not coming out.’ I just had to lock in and push through. That is pretty much my life—just continuing to push no matter what.”
Morant’s winning shot happened at 9:01 p.m., matching the Memphis area code. It was the first time the Grizzlies hit a game-winning buzzer-beater since Jae Crowder’s 3-pointer with an assist from Morant against the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 27, 2019, which was also the first win of Morant’s career.
Morant’s game-winning shot provided a significant emotional boost for the Grizzlies. This was much-needed, considering their tough stretch with a 6-19 record during his suspension. Before the game, they shared the second-worst record in the Western Conference with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The remarkable 24-point comeback stands out as the largest in the past 25 years for a team with a winning percentage of .250 or worse.
“It felt different out there, having our guy back, our leader,” shared Bane, who scored 21 points. “He does so much for us on the court, of course, but the spirit and the energy and all that he plays with is infectious. … I ain’t surprised at all. I’ve seen him do a bunch of crazy things. I’m not going to say I was expecting something like this, but I knew he was going to be himself.”
Morant showcased his classic performance, dominating with skilled drives to the basket and scoring in the paint. According to Second Spectrum, he scored 12 times with layups, dunks, and floaters—matching the highest by a guard in any game this season, a record set by Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey during his 50-point game.
NBA player Ja Morant is celebrating a successful comeback after dealing with criticism and a suspension. He proudly mentioned that he “kept receipts,” suggesting he has evidence or reasons for his actions. Morant played Meek Mill’s “Respect the Game” loudly in the locker room, expressing his happiness after a triumphant season debut. His coach, Taylor Jenkins, aimed for Morant to have fun, and it appears Morant thoroughly enjoyed his return to the court.
