The Memphis Grizzlies were considered to be outmatched by many against the Golden State Warriors despite their record being better. However, Game 2 has proven that the Grizzlies have the right ingredients to put up a fight against the Warriors as they walked out 106-101 winners on the night, led by a massive 47-piece by Ja Morant.
The game had its contentious moments, including an early ejection for Dillon Brooks after he injured Gary Payton II. However, a superstar-like performance by Morant means that he might have put his team in a position to take control of the series in Game 3 at Golden State.
Fans of both teams and around the NBA were glued to watching this game and had a lot to say about Memphis fighting their way back after their Game 1 loss.
Memphis holds on to take down the Warriors, 106-101🐻
Ja Morant: 47 PTS, 8 AST, 8 REB
Jaren Jackson Jr.: 12 PTS, 7 REB
The Grizzlies head to Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
➡️ https://t.co/5ca7hK2r8j pic.twitter.com/gJLwbiplMi
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 4, 2022
We just witnessed the most exciting player in the NBA!! Ja Morant put up 47 points to lead his team over the Warriors and tie the series 1-1.
— 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
Ja Morant looking at the Warriors pic.twitter.com/nsjooEs3ZG
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 4, 2022
Warriors leaving Memphis after getting punch pushed fouled and tackled all game 🥴 pic.twitter.com/PJvhZBmuth
— gabb (@gabbgoudy) May 4, 2022
I don’t even have words. That was legendary. Memphis has a superstar on our basketball team, and he can beat anybody.
— Made in Memphis (@MadeinMemphis1) May 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/J4xDJM/status/1521705721011789828
people who thought this series was going to be a blowout clearly have never seen ja morant
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) May 4, 2022
Streets are saying Ja Morant is better than you bro @StephenCurry30 How you gonna respond next game?
— De🅿️ressed Warriors Fan 💔 (@GoIdenState) May 4, 2022
watching ja morant play basketball is some of the most purely fun shit in the sports world
— Matt Ellentuck (@mellentuck) May 4, 2022
Ja Morant bout to drop 50 on us cause we let him get in rhythm by getting wide open practice 3’s all first half. Good shit Kerr. Good shit coaching staff. Great gameplan IDIOTS.. Treating a superstar like he’s Tony Allen
— De🅿️ressed Warriors Fan 💔 (@GoIdenState) May 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/OVOLakeShow/status/1521704331757555712
Klay Thompson choked this game away.
— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) May 4, 2022
The Warriors couldn’t guard Morant all game long, with the absence of Gary Payton II definitely having an impact. However, Morant is world-class enough to still have a big game even with the Warriors’ best guard defender making life tougher for him. Morant’s 18 points in the fourth quarter ensured the Warriors couldn’t come back into the game.
The performances from most of the Grizzlies’ core left things to be desired, especially with the likes of Desmond Bane who has been passive this series. The same goes for misfiring players on the Warriors, most critically, Klay Thompson, who was 2/12 from three-point range today.
With the series headed back to Golden State, Steve Kerr will have his plate full in figuring out how he can mitigate the damage Morant can do. On a day where the rest of the Grizzlies get hot, it may be incredibly challenging for GSW to figure out how to stop them. But the Warriors getting hot with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole can easily win them games as well, so Game 3 will be a must-watch for fans of the sport.
