Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant made headlines earlier this month when he proclaimed that he was not going to dunk anymore as a way to shield himself from potential accidents. That self-imposed ban lasted precisely so long as you could have anticipated.
In the midst of the third quarter of the Grizzlies’ 127-121 win over the defending champion Celtics on Saturday night time — their first win in Boston since 2013 — Morant drove baseline and noticed Kristaps Porzingis ready on the rim. Morant turned his again to the rim and soared by means of the paint for a ridiculous double-pump reverse slam, two of his 32 factors on the night time. He added 9 rebounds, 9 assists and two steals in one in all his greatest performances of the season.
Chances are you’ll assume Morant was joking about the entire not-dunking factor, particularly after seeing Saturday night time’s acrobatic show, however he made it clear in his unique remarks that he was being honest.
“I am not making an attempt to dunk in any respect,” Morant stated after the Grizzlies’ loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 3. “Y’all assume I am mendacity. I am lifeless critical.
“Typically I get knocked out the air and [a foul] do not get known as, and now I am out longer than what I am presupposed to be. Typically the foul would possibly get known as; I nonetheless hit the ground, however after the sport you would possibly really feel that little fall. So I simply decide and select, man. Hey, two factors is 2 factors. I get it performed. That is all that issues.”
Earlier this season, Morant, one of many league’s highest-fliers, was hit in mid-air by Los Angeles Lakers massive man Christian Koloko and crashed to the bottom. The nasty touchdown left him with a partial posterior hip subluxation and a number of pelvic muscle strains, which compelled him to the sidelines for almost three weeks. It was solely pure luck that the damage wasn’t one other season-ender for Morant, who was restricted to 9 video games in 2023-24 on account of a suspension and shoulder surgical procedure.
It makes complete sense for Morant to prioritize his well being as he tries to get the Grizzlies again to the highest of the Western Convention, however Saturday’s spotlight was a reminder that it is going to be tough for him to tone it down within the warmth of the second. It is one factor to take it straightforward on a solo fastbreak, it is one other to counter your ingrained instincts on a tough drive to the basket.
Dunking or no dunking, the Grizzlies are simply glad to have Morant again on the court docket. They’re now 10-4 within the 14 video games he is performed this season, in comparison with 6-4 with out him. After their massive win over the Celtics, they’re as much as third place within the Western Convention at 16-8.
