Ja Morant Dominates Despite Injury, Leads Grizzlies in Play-In Triumph

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant proved his resilience on Friday night, overcoming a sprained right ankle to score 22 points and lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a playoff berth during a thrilling NBA play-in game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Morant, a two-time All-Star, showcased his skills by scoring 16 of his points in the first half, helping Memphis secure an 8th seed in the Western Conference for the playoffs starting Sunday against top-seeded Oklahoma City.

“I couldn’t feel it … so I was out there,” Morant said, laughing about his injury. He had initially been listed as questionable leading up to the game, having suffered the injury on Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors.

Teammate Desmond Bane had confidence in Morant’s ability to perform. “I mean, he’s an MVP-type player, a walking highlight reel,” Bane remarked. “I knew he was going to show up.”

The injury occurred in the third quarter on Tuesday when Morant landed on Buddy Hield’s foot. Despite brief limping, he finished the game against Dallas with nine rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, playing a total of 33 minutes.

One of the most memorable moments came when Morant executed a spectacular putback dunk, which prompted Bane to shout, “Showtime!” It was a play that energized the entire Grizzlies squad.

“That putback dunk was a huge energy boost at the right time,” said teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. “It was lit.”

Interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, who is in his first season with the Grizzlies, expressed admiration for Morant’s talents, saying, “He comes up with stuff that I’m not sure there’s any other human being on the planet that can do.”

This season, Morant faced challenges, missing significant time due to injuries, limiting him to 50 games. However, his impact in critical moments like this game highlights his crucial role in the team’s journey.