Ja Morant made his season debut on Tuesday evening for the Memphis Grizzlies as he returned from a 25-game suspension for flashing a gun on social media. Morant and the Grizzlies confronted the New Orleans Pelicans with a nationwide TV viewers on TNT ready on the celebrity level guard’s each transfer.
Morant delivered within the largest manner doable, hitting the game-winning shot on the buzzer as Memphis defeated the Pelicans, 115-113. The buzzer-beater capped an unbelievable return for Morant, that noticed him end with 34 factors, eight assists, and 6 rebounds for the win.
Morant scored his game-winner by one-on-one in opposition to arguably the NBA’s prime perimeter defender in Herb Jones. Morant drove to the center of the ground, hit Jones with a spin transfer going to his proper, then elevated for a bucket that trickled by way of the online as the ultimate buzzer sounded. Watch Morant’s buzzer-beater in his first sport again from the suspension right here:
Morant spoke to TNT proper after hitting the game-winner:
He screamed “I stored the receipts” as he ran off the ground into the tunnel.
It was an ideal ending for Morant, and maybe the beginning of a serious redemption arc. The Grizzlies have been among the finest groups within the NBA during the last two years, averaging 53.5 wins per yr. With out Morant — and injured large males Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke —the Grizzlies have been one of many worst groups within the NBA to open the season, getting into the sport at 6-19 general.
Now that they’re 1-0 with Morant, everybody shall be questioning if Memphis could make a late rally to get into the play-in match. The Grizzlies are seven video games again of the No. 10 seed Phoenix Suns who’re 14-12 general after the win. It’s shall be a steep climb, however Memphis is aware of they’ve an opportunity so long as Morant is on the ground. You couldn’t script a greater return to the courtroom.
