The Sporting Base readers should be familiar with the legal issues with Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant. First, was the possession of a firearm while intoxicated at a Denver nightclub which led to an eight-game suspension last year, and then was the 25-game suspension at the beginning of this season after Morant was seen holding a gun in a vehicle in Memphis and the incident was streamed live on Instagram.
On Tuesday, Morant played his first game of the 2023-24 National Basketball Association season, and was brilliant. The point guard from Dalzell, South Carolina scored 34 points, and had eight assists, six rebounds, two steals and one block in a 115-113 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Morant also made 12 of 24 field goals and 10 of 12 free throws.
However, it is one shot that has grabbed the basketball world’s attention. It was Morant’s final shot of the game, where he made a five-foot layup with no time left on the clock, and broke a 113-113 deadlock. With the win, the Grizzlies improved to a record of seven wins and 19 losses.
Morant’s buzzer beater was only the second buzzer beater made this season. The first belonged to Miami Heat point guard Jimmy Butler of Houston, Texas in a 118-116 win over the Chicago Bulls on December 16. This 20-foot buzzer beater was significant because Butler played the first six seasons of his NBA career with the Bulls from 2011 to 2017.
The Grizzlies will get better this season if Morant does his talking on the court. They next play Indiana on Thursday.
