The Memphis Grizzlies came back with a close 106-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors in the 2nd game of the Western Conference semi-finals in the Playoffs. Ja Morant did most of the heavy lifting for the Grizzlies with 47 points. It was still a close game despite that. Warriors fans will not be disappointed. They could argue that decisions from the referees did not go their way. This series still has five matches remaining, hence anybody can win it.
Morant got a lot of praise and a bit of flack because of the nature of fouls he got. He finished the night with 47 points, eight rebounds and eight assists after shooting 15-of-31 from the field. He is now just the third player in NBA history, along with LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, to put up multiple 45-point playoff games in his career before turning 23.
Media’s reaction to Morant’s performance
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Fans and the media were praising Mordant for this showing of his. He has amazed most of the people. Some were amazed at his performance, some were by the leniency he got from the referees. Nonetheless, these are some reactions from the media and the fans on this performance of the “Most Improved Player of the Year”:
Like a said JA too special to be in a MIP conversation. Rising Super⭐️
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 4, 2022
What a game!!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 4, 2022
Ja RULES!!! This brother @JaMorant is something special. So much heart to. Unfortunately, @KlayThompson and Wiggins have to make amends because they did not show up to help @StephenCurry30 tonight!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/Rockets_Insider/status/1521704843794173958?t=3DxUNiSvYy1zRsXVz_lFZA&s=19
That’s a bulljive call
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) May 4, 2022
18 PTS in the 4th with only 1 Eye!!! Ja Is Something Else!!#GrindCity What a Game
Séries Tie 1-1 #NBAPlayoffs https://t.co/Ow90txnefE— DRobz23 (@DRobz23) May 4, 2022
He legit was amazing ngl https://t.co/SdH4CjFMCE
— 🪬…🪬 (@260zay_) May 4, 2022
Ja Morant and the Grizzlies vs Golden State
Morant’s performance carried an otherwise very flaccid Grizzled team. Ziare Williams added 14 points off the bench for Memphis, and Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Brandon Clarke was the only other Grizzlies player to hit double figures.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Golden State Warriors, too, did not hit their shots properly. As a team, the Warriors shot just 18.4% from behind the arc and made just seven 3-pointers as a team. Stephen Curry led Golden State with 27 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Jordan Poole hit 20 points from the bench. Klay Thompson had a below average performance and the referee whistled him during plays.
The game turned physical as well pretty fast. Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks was ejected just minutes into the contest after he drilled Warriors guard Gary Payton II right in the head. That shot resulted in a Flagrant 2 foul and triggered an automatic ejection for Brooks. Payton left the game with an elbow injury, and did not return. Draymond Green got hit in the eye and had to leave the game with stitches. He flipped off the crowd after that.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch this Story: John Daly Hails ?Daddy Trump? and Reveals His Most Relatable Golfing Partner
Ja Morant had the performance of his career, but fans will say that while the game was close, the referees interfered with the flow of the game.