Memphis Grizzlies: 3 takeaways from preseason win vs. Magic

Ja Morant in midseason form

The most electrifying player in the NBA didn’t skip a beat on Monday. Ja Morant had 22 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds in just 22 minutes against the Magic. Along the way, a 360 dunk and a filthy euro step were enough to make social media take notice. However, there was an additional part of his game that is worth mentioning: defense.

Morant notched 3 steals and a block to go along with his highlight plays. Throughout the offseason, he mentioned several times how much he wanted to improve on that side of the floor, and, last night could be a glimpse of what’s to come.

Another one of his season goals is winning the league’s most valuable player award, and it was clear last night that Morant wants to come out of the gate hot. He was a +25 in the victory and made everyone forget about a knee injury that took him out of the playoffs back in May. With Morant looking like this in his first preseason game, I can’t wait to see him in March.