NEW ORLEANS (WAFB) — Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant fought fatigue with 9.6 seconds remaining in his delayed season debut after leading his team back from a 24-point deficit to tie the game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Morant suggested a playcall while using a massage gun on his calves, which he said were cramping during the timeout: a post-up for power forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
Sensing the moment and having seen Morant take over down the stretch, Grizzlies shooting guard Desmond Bane immediately rejected that plan.
“He told me, ‘F— no, you get the ball,'” Morant said following the Grizzlies’ 115-113 victory on Tuesday. “At that point, all I had to do was lock in and go deliver.” And so I did.”
Morant delivered in dramatic fashion, capping off a 34-point, six-rebound, eight-assist performance with his first career game-winning buzzer-beater. He used a spin move in the lane to beat Pelicans defensive stopper Herbert Jones before laying the ball in as time expired at the Smoothie King Center.
Morant quieted the New Orleans fans who booed him when he returned from a 25-game suspension for brandishing a firearm on an Instagram Live video in May, his second such incident in two months. His teammates, as well as the hundreds of Grizzlies fans in the arena, erupted in celebration, as did Morant’s father, Tee, and best friend, Davonte Pack, who sat in courtside seats on the baseline steps away from the Memphis bench.
“I feel like it was the perfect ending, perfect day,” Morant went on to say.
“That was crazy,” Jackson, who scored 24 points in the victory, said. “I’m glad I got to be a part of it.” I’m glad I was present to witness it.”
Morant hit three game-winning field goals in the final 90 seconds, all of which came on isolation drives against Jones. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, that matched the most go-ahead baskets in the final 1:30 of a fourth quarter in the past 25 years, a feat last accomplished by Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic in 2019.
Despite struggling with his wind after an eight-month layoff from game competition, Morant had 27 of his 34 points in the second half, having last played in Game 6 of the first round of the playoffs in April, when the No. 2 seed Grizzlies were eliminated by a 40-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Morant used an inhaler to boost his oxygen levels midway through the third quarter and again during the fourth-quarter break.
Morant returned with 8:17 remaining in the game, when the Grizzlies trailed by seven points, and dominated the rest of the way. He scored 14 points in the final 7:15 of the game, including the Grizzlies’ final six points, on five field goals in the paint off drives and four free throws.
“Obviously 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,” Morant told ESPN. “When I returned at the eight-minute mark, they basically told me, ‘You’re not coming out.’ I just had to focus and push through. “That’s pretty much my life — just pushing forward no matter what.”
Morant’s winning shot came at 9:01 p.m., which corresponded to the Memphis area code. It was the Grizzlies’ first game-winning buzzer-beater since a Jae Crowder 3-pointer off a Morant assist against the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 27, 2019, which gave Morant his first career victory.
It was a much-needed emotional boost for the Grizzlies, who went 6-19 during Morant’s suspension and entered the night tied for the second-worst record in the Western Conference with the Portland Trail Blazers.
According to ESPN Stats & Information research, the 24-point comeback is the largest by a team with a.250 or lower winning percentage entering the game in the last 25 years.
“It felt different out there, having our guy back, our leader,” said Bane, who finished with 21 points. “He does so much for us on the court, of course, but the spirit, energy, and everything else that he plays with is contagious.” I’m not surprised in the least. I’ve seen him do some crazy things. I’m not going to say I expected something like this, but I knew he’d be himself.”
Morant’s performance was classic, as he dominated off the dribble, consistently getting downhill and scoring in the paint. According to Second Spectrum, Morant scored 12 points on layups, dunks, and floaters, which is the most by a guard in any game this season, matching Tyrese Maxey’s 50-point performance in Philadelphia.
Morant bounced down the hallway to the visitors locker room after his teammates mobbed him while he did the TNT walk-off interview.
“I, too, kept receipts!” I also kept receipts!” Morant yelled, clearly referring to the criticism he received during his suspension. As the media entered the Grizzlies’ joyous locker room, he played Meek Mill’s “Respect the Game” loudly on a speaker near his locker.
Morant relished every moment of his spectacular, exhilarating season debut, as well as the aftermath.
“I just wanted him to have fun,” said Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins. “It sure looked like he did.”
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