The Memphis Grizzlies are off to a hot start in their season opener, holding a lead against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They did this while scoring the fifth-highest total of points in franchise history at halftime.
Ja Morant already has his footprint on this one, scoring 20 points by halftime and recording the most impressive NBA play of the year. That play came in the form of a highlight block where the Grizzly guard hit his head on the backboard on the last play of the first half. If you missed it, I’ll link that here and at the bottom of the article.
The best part? That wasn’t Morant’s only highlight play of the game. Heck, it wasn’t even his most athletic play of the game.
Grizzlies PG Ja Morant scratched his back on a third-quarter dunk in the Grizzlies’ season opener
In the third quarter of the Grizzlies contest against the Cavs, De’Anthony Melton got the ball in transition with Morant running slightly behind him. Grizzlies fans and virtually anybody who has seen Ja Morant play knew what was coming.
Still, nobody expected a play that was this explosive.
Melton reached the free-throw line before tossing up a pass that looked uncatchable. Ja Morant didn’t seem to think so, as he grabbed it with one hand and threw down a tomahawk dunk, creating the play of the year thus far for Memphis. See for yourself.
12 ON THE MOON 🥷🌕@JaMorant | @DeAnthonyMelton https://t.co/0nzbOTYGzG
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) October 21, 2021
As you can see, Morant defied physics for the second time in a game. Just like his block earlier, the Grizzly point guard’s head cleared the backboard. This time, he was able to avoid actually making contact with the glass, creating the best dunk of the year.
If you haven’t already taken notice, I’d advise you to do so. Morant is on track to score well over 30 points in this year’s season opener and looks to be replicating a 44-point game from last year’s season opener. At the point that I’m writing this, Morant has 28 points, five assists, and two blocks.
Grizzlies basketball will be must-watch action with Ja on the team during the 2021 season.