"I'M A DAWG" - Ja Morant Hit A Buzzer Beater Game Winner In His First Game Back From Suspension To Cap Off A Massive 24 Point Grizzlies Comeback
Layne Murdoch Jr.. Getty Images.After a 25 game suspension and no preseason to get into basketball shape, one might think that Ja Morant may have been a little rusty in his first game back. It usually takes guys a little while to get into their rhythm, and since there's no way to truly simulate NBA basketball, I certainly expected Morant to need a game or two to look like the guy we all remember.
As it turns out, Ja Morant played as if he'd never missed a possession.
With his suspension combined with all their injuries put the Grizzlies season in a pretty tough spot, it didn't take long for Morant to remind us all what things looked like the last time he was in the mix. Remember, the Grizzlies were a top 4 seed team with Morant. He's a player that definitely moves the needle, and tonight was the perfect example of that
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What a moment. At first, it looked like maybe the Grizzlies were going to regret taking that timeout at around 6 seconds since it had been pretty obvious no defender on the Pelicans was able to keep Ja from the rim. A few possessions prior he had gotten to the rim with ease
so you're thinking maybe just let Ja go coast to coast for the game winner. In the end, it didn't really matter much since Morant was still able to get to the exact spot he wanted even with the Pelicans defense set all while being under control and with no real contest at the rim. That's a shot we've seen Ja Morant make a billion times, and his performance tonight is an example of why he's so goddamn fun to watch. The quickness of his drives is ridiculous, then he jumps and simply never comes down. The real estate he can cover on the court in just a few strides is what makes him so special.
To claw all the way back from 24, dominate in that fashion down the stretch, and hit that type of game winner all on the road is pretty damn impressive. Especially against a Pelicans team that had won 4 in a row. Brutal choke by them to blow that lead, but that's the NBA for you.
As I blogged earlier, the Grizzlies still have a lonnnnnng way to go until they can even get back into the Play in conversation, but road wins like this certainly help. Everything about the Grizzlies now changes with Morant back. From how they play, to how you're able to defend them, now we get to see what they truly look like. It just stinks Steven Adams is out for the year given how important he is to how they play, but the good news is we do get this version of Morant. That guy is fun as hell.