“The Perfect Ending to a Perfect Day”. After his 25-game suspension for playing with a gun on social media for the second time, Ja Morant returned to the Grizzlies to do what he does best: hurt NBA defenses and put on a show in the Great League!
However, the Pelicans led by 24 points just before halftime (60-36) with Ja Morant looking for his bearings, especially behind the 3-point line.
The face of the Grizzlies is changing dramatically
But the ghost will find them after the break. Because if he arrived with 7 points and 3 assists at halftime, Ja Morant will finish the second period with 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Enough to allow the Grizzlies to achieve an incredible comeback, punctuated by a floater, at the buzzer, for the Tennessee playmaker!
Booed by the New Orleans public, the playmaker was able to celebrate his return to the game.
“There are a lot of people who don’t like me, you saw where that got them”even explains Ja Morant, all smiles, talking about the welcome given by the opposing fans. “I don't know what I did to the Pelicans or their fans, but I guess they were supporting their team. So, it's all right “.
What is certain is that Ja Morant's ability to break the first opposing defensive curtain changes a lot of things for the Grizzlies, and opens up a lot of things for his teammates.
“The mindset and energy with which he plays is contagious”
“The atmosphere was different on the pitch, with our guy, our leader back with us” confirms Desmond Bane, his teammate on the backcourt. “He does so much for us on the pitch, of course. And then the state of mind and the energy with which he plays are contagious.”
Ja Morant, however, confirms that he finished the match on his knees, which explains some slightly questionable decisions in the “money-time”. He therefore asked if the last shot should not go to Jaren Jackson Jr. but Taylor Jenkins and his teammates rejected the idea, leaving him to complete this return to the perfect game himself.
“My only expectation was that he would have fun, honestly”explains his coach. “I know the work he did. His teammates know it too. I thought he did a phenomenal job. Just with the rhythm he set up, the movement of the ball and obviously the high level actions, the finishing.”
