The NBA has long been known as a hub of trash-talking and mind games. But sometimes, the mind games go terribly wrong and opponents end up getting humiliated. In the game against the Boston Celtics, that’s exactly what happened when Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant tried to play around with Jayson Tatum and got shut down by the superstar. Morant later revealed what he said to Tatum in the last seconds of the game.
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The NBA was in full swing as all 30 teams were in action ahead of the mid-term elections across the US. Eastern Conference champions, the Boston Celtics, took on a young and upcoming team in the Memphis Grizzlies. It was a very close game, but the Celtics sealed a 109-106 victory in the end.
Ja Morant said he tried to talk Jayson Tatum into missing those late free throws in the finals second. Morant said Tatum told him that he had to make it back home to put Deuce to sleep.
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) November 8, 2022
After the game, a reporter asked Ja Morant what he talked about with Tatum at the free-throw line. Morant admitted he tried to get into his head, and he asked Tatum to miss the free throws. Jayson Tatum replied to Morant, saying that he had to make it back home as he had to put his son Deuce to sleep.
NBA fans are stunned by Jayson Tatum clowning Ja Morant
NBA fans were stunned to see the interaction between the two superstars. They raved about Tatum for keeping his cool, while they clowned Morant for trying.
Here are some of the reactions from NBA Twitter:
*extremely mark jackson voice* putting the kids to bed, that’s a grown man move https://t.co/LSUwlVHqFm
— A H (@FormerlyAus) November 8, 2022
Pretty tuff tbh fair play.
— Steven Adams’ Finsta (@shitpostkiwi) November 8, 2022
LMFAOOO that’s epic as hellll 😂🤝🏾
— GiO (@GIO38115) November 8, 2022
True but he had to put the grizzlies to sleep first
— diggity☘️ (@617diggity) November 8, 2022
INSTANT LEGEND!!!!!!!! Put him @celtics top 5 !! What a great story!!!!! Lmao
— DiddieBopp (@diddiebopp) November 8, 2022
That he wasn’t trying to go to overtime because he needed to go and put deuce to sleep
— Murray 👽 (@MurrayAger) November 8, 2022
Better father than Tom Brady
— Thuggin’ (@_MarioThuggin) November 8, 2022
How sweet of Jayson to say good night to both his sons, Deuce and Ja
— Andy (@Up2N0G00d8) November 8, 2022
Tatum shines over Morant as Celtics overcome Grizzlies
The game between the Celtics and the Grizzlies was a battle between two young superstars. Tatum and Morant have been spectacular over the years and they are touted to be the future of the NBA.
This time around, it was Tatum who ended up with the upper hand over Morant. Tatum finished with 39 points and he made two clutch free throws at the end to seal the deal. The Celtics were running away with the game in the second half but the Grizzlies staged a massive comeback.
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The Grizzlies even took the lead at the start of the fourth quarter, but the Celtics fought back. Morant tried to spark another comeback and the Grizzlies nearly pulled it off, but Tatum and the Celtics held on in the end. Ja Morant continued his impressive start to the season, and he dropped 30 points on the night.
WATCH THIS STORY: Jayson Tatum’s 4-word message to Lakers legend Kobe Bryant before game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals
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Tatum and the Celtics face off against the Detroit Pistons in their next game. The Grizzlies and Ja Morant will take on the San Antonio Spurs.
What did you think of Jayson Tatum’s reply to Ja Morant? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.