Ja Morant orchestrated a cinematic return to NBA action on Tuesday night, sealing a spectacular win for the Memphis Grizzlies against the New Orleans Pelicans with a mesmerizing game-winning shot. It was an outstanding finish.
The stage was set for a thrilling clash when Morant took the court after a 25-game suspension, and it only got more interesting when he scored a game-winner. Nevertheless, Morant’s efforts go beyond the court, and his connection with basketball goes far deeper than points on a scoreboard.
Ja Morant’s buzzer-beater and his love for the game
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On the road against the Pelicans, Ja Morant spearheaded a stunning 24-point comeback, culminating in a nail-biting 115-113 victory on Tuesday. In the game’s decisive moment, Morant hit a winning shot at the buzzer with both teams’ scores tied at 113-113. This shot left fans and teammates speechless.
“Basketball is my life, what I love, therapeutic for me, and I’m just excited to be back.”@StephanieReady caught up with Ja Morant after a buzzer-beating win for the Grizzlies in his return pic.twitter.com/eAPS6ASbj0
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 20, 2023
In an interview immediately after the game, with Stephanie Ready, Morant said, “I’ve been putting work in, man. I ain’t played a game in eight months. Had a lot of time to learn myself, a lot of hard days where I went through it. Basketball is my life, what I love, therapeutic for me, and I’m just excited to be back.”
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In every role, whether in the stands or glued to their TVs, the crowd was eagerly awaiting Morant’s first steps on the court. It paved the way for a night that would rewrite NBA history. But the question is still there: Can the Memphis Grizzlies sustain their upward trajectory following Ja Morant’s heroic comeback?
Ja Morant’s tenacity turns the tide for the Grizzlies
In a season marred by a challenging 6-19 record, the Memphis Grizzlies found themselves at a crossroads, often succumbing to adversity rather than confronting it head-on. The entry of a seasoned player with a fiery temperament, Marcus Smart, who is injured on the sidelines, enlivened competition between teammates. Smart’s impassioned pleas echoed through the locker room, urging his teammates to rise to the occasion and embrace the challenge.
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In the past, when they faced a 24-point deficit against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Grizzlies surrendered. However, this time was different. Ja Morant, wearing the emblematic “G12,” emerged as the catalyst for change. When the Grizzlies aimed to sneak up on the Pelicans, Morant’s iron will become a rallying point for a team that would not give in. When faced with adversity, Morant demonstrated that he is not just a player but a leader—one ready to carry the burden and guide his team through the windswept storm.
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