The Memphis Grizzlies pulled off a major 127-121 upset over the Boston Celtics last night. During the game, Ja Morant had an amazing dunk over Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis. Morant, who had claimed he wouldn’t dunk again due to the impact it has on his body, spoke after the game and shed light on why he changed his mind mid-game.
“I felt like if I didn’t, [Kristaps] Porzingis was going to block it. I really wanted to go for the reverse, but hey, another one.”
Ja Morant: "I'm not trying to dunk at all"
Also Ja Morant: https://t.co/FW5Xfq27oS pic.twitter.com/MaC9rRd98J
— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 8, 2024
Ja Morant had said earlier this week that he was going to try dunking less, as the impact it has on his body was not worth the highlight. He noted that he was getting hurt by the clashes with opposing defenders who were trying to block his shot, and would focus more on layups.
“I’m not trying to dunk at all. Y’all think I’m lying. I’m dead serious… Sometimes, I get knocked out of the air and (a foul) don’t get called, and now I’m out longer than what I’m supposed to be. Sometimes, the foul might get called; I still hit the floor, but after the game, you might feel that little fall. So, I just pick and choose, man. Hey, two points is two points. I get it done. That’s all that matters.”
It appears that Morant made the adjustment to try and get his team the two points. There is no denying that Morant is one of the best dunkers in the NBA, and for him to steer away from that aspect of his game is certainly disappointing. But as long as he doesn’t rule out dunking altogether, fans can accept the compromise, and it would make his highlights a lot more special.
Ja Morant Having A Great Season
Ja Morant is looking to bounce back after a turbulent period in his career. Off-court controversies and injuries really derailed the strong momentum Morant had built as a young superstar in the NBA. But he appears back to his best this year, putting up strong numbers on a nightly basis.
Last night, he put up 32 points (11-20 FG), nine rebounds, nine assists, and two steals. For the season, he is averaging 21.7 points, 8.5 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field, 30.2 % from the three-point line, and 85.3% from the free-throw line.
The Grizzlies have massively benefitted from his return, as they currently boast a 16-8 record, tied for second in the Western Conference with the Mavericks. Only the Thunder, Celtics, and Cavaliers have a better record than them in the entire NBA.
At this rate, the Grizzlies could be one of the top teams in the playoffs this year. The Grizzlies have a strong team, with offensive juggernauts like Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., and strong defenders like Marcus Smart and Jackson Jr. This combination makes them a very difficult team to defeat in the West.
The Grizzlies will face the Wizards in Washington D.C. tonight, at 7 PM EST. Perhaps they can get another big win during their current road trip to the East.
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