(Photo : Chris Graythen/Getty Images) NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Ja Morant (#12) of the Memphis Grizzlies appears on whereas enjoying the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on December 19, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is among the most charming younger abilities within the present NBA panorama.
The 6-foot-2 level guard was chosen by the Grizzlies because the second total decide within the 2019 NBA Draft, following a formidable two-season stint in faculty basketball at Murray State.
Marketed by Nike as their first Generation Z celebrity, Morant shortly made his mark within the league by securing the 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year honor, surpassing the efficiency of his draft’s 12 months’s high decide, ahead Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Morant continued to raise his sport and refine his abilities, incomes the 2022 NBA Most Improved Player accolade.
The 24-year-old made the All-NBA Second Team in 2022 and earned a much-deserved spot within the NBA All-Star Game in each 2022 and 2023.
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5 Best Moments of Ja Morant’s Career
1. Most-viewed Instagram video
Morant is acknowledged for starring within the NBA’s most-watched Instagram video ever.
This clip showcases the purpose guard nailing an unbelievable buzzer-beater off a catch within the air, courtesy of an inbound move from middle Steven Adams spanning the whole court docket’s size with 0.4 seconds remaining within the third quarter.
The NBA reported that the video amassed a formidable 42.1 million views.
2. Series-swinging dunk
Down by 13 earlier than this second, Morant’s impactful slam dunk over former Minnesota Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley catalyzed a Grizzlies comeback throughout Game 5 of their first-round sequence within the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
This electrifying play fueled Memphis to outscore Minnesota within the fourth quarter, securing a victory within the pivotal Game 5.
The Grizzlies carried this momentum into Game 6, finally advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals.
3. Grizzlies eradicate the Warriors
One of the preliminary indicators of Morant’s future stardom surfaced through the 2021 Play-In Tournament. The Memphis Grizzlies clashed with the Golden State Warriors on the Chase Center in a high-stakes matchup for the eighth seed within the playoffs.
The Warriors have an immense championship pedigree, with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Kevon Looney seeing motion for the Dubs in that sport.
However, defying their relative inexperience, the Grizzlies emerged victorious in a tense time beyond regulation showdown. Morant was instrumental, racking up 35 factors and sinking 5 three-pointers to seal a 117-112 win within the further interval.
4. Game-winner in comeback sport
After receiving a 25-game suspension from the league following his second gun-flashing incident on social media through the offseason, Morant lastly returned to the court docket on Tuesday, December 19, in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans on the street.
The 2022 NBA Most Improved Player confirmed no rust in his return, capping off the night with an unbelievable buzzer-beater game-winner to finish his triumphant comeback.
5. Career-high sport
Morant scored a career-high 52 factors throughout a house sport in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs on February 28, 2022.
The dynamic level guard broke the franchise file of 46 factors, which he set two days prior. He shot 22-of-30 from the sphere and an ideal 4-of-4 from three-point vary, showcasing a wide selection of arsenal en path to the career-best output.
Notably, throughout this sport, the NBA’s most-viewed video on Instagram occurred, with Morant’s buzzer-beater accounting for two of his 52 factors that night.
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