It appears even the supernatural is not enough to slow down Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies who are off to a hot, 2-0 start to the 2022-23 NBA season.
A Houston Rockets fan reportedly brought a homemade voodoo doll bearing an uncanny resemblance to Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant to an Oct. 21 game at the Toyota Center in Houston.
Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian tweeted out a photo of the Rockets fan before the Oct. 21 game tipped off in Houston.
Memphis Grizzlies star wards off voodoo doll and Rockets in Houston
The strangely constructed effigy appeared to be hanging on strings in a puppet-like manner. Hill reported the man did not wish any harm on Ja Morant, but only that his chants would force him into having a bad performance.
“I don’t want the player to be hurt or maimed, I just want the player to have a really bad game,” the man said, according to Hill.
His efforts to slow Morant by supernatural means were fruitless as the superstar point guard erupted for an incredible 49 points against the young upstarts in Houston, putting on a display of highlight dunks, handles, and blocked shots.
Morant also finished with eight assists, four rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. He shot 17for 26 from the field, made 10 of his 13 free-throw attempts and knocked down five of his six three-point attempts.
https://twitter.com/jamorant/status/1583652785689530368?s=61&t=3OEupa1eWHBVr_RgtCfp5w
With teammates Jaren Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks, and Ziaire Williams out of action, Ja Morant looked like a bonafide MVP candidate and his performance is a big reason why the Grizzlies were able to overcome a 16-point deficit and win the game.
The fourth-year player out of Murray State is unquestionably one of the best young players in the NBA and has a real case to be an early MVP candidate this season. After earning Rookie of the Year Honors, Most Improved Player, and NBA All-Star starter, Morant could complete the grand slam of NBA awards by winning league MVP this season at the age of 23.
Morant and the Grizzlies will face Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 22 in hopes of winning their third consecutive game of the season.