Memphis star Ja Morant sunk the game-winning basket with 18.6 seconds remaining on Saturday, propelling the Memphis Grizzlies to a 125-117 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in a nail-biting NBA showdown.
Ja Morant saving the Grizzlies from the Timberwolves
In his second sport after getting back from a shoulder damage, Morant scored 12 factors and went 0-for-4 from past the arc. Nonetheless, he got here by way of within the clutch, driving for a layup to knot the sport at 125-125 with 54.1 seconds remaining.
Following a steal by the Grizzlies, Morant attacked once more, hitting a floater over Minnesota middle Rudy Gobert to cap off Memphis’ comeback from a six-point deficit with below 5 minutes left.
Randle turned the ball over on the subsequent possession, and Jackson Jr. grabbed the steal. Morant shortly capitalized, hitting a floating leap shot over Anthony Edwards’ outstretched arms to present Memphis a 127-125 lead with 18.1 seconds left.
Fan response to Ja Morant’s game-winner
Followers turned to social media to react to Morant’s late sport heroics.
“Sport winner hen dinner” stated one person on X (previously Twitter)
One other person criticized Anthony Edwards protection saying: “Over who? Oh, Anthony “Subsequent Micheal Jordan” Edwards 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 Can’t grasp.”
Username @olamijuwon1007 wrote, “Ja Morant actually labored for that. Nicely deserved win.”
The Grizzlies closing out the Timberwolves
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Morant struggled together with his shot, ending with 12 factors on 5-for-19 taking pictures, however delivered within the clutch to safe Memphis’ win within the opener of their four-game street journey. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the cost with 33 factors and eight rebounds, whereas Desmond Bane contributed 21 factors.
Donte DiVincenzo performed properly for the Timberwolves with 27 factors and 10 rebounds, however their three-game profitable streak got here to an finish. Jaden McDaniels contributed 21 factors, Naz Reid supplied 19 factors off the bench, and Julius Randle recorded 18 factors, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
The Grizzlies confronted a 125-121 deficit after Rudy Gobert’s layup for the Timberwolves with 1:41 remaining, however Minnesota failed to attain once more.
Minnesota failing within the clutch
The Timberwolves had two alternatives to reclaim the lead within the closing seconds. Anthony Edwards missed a three-pointer with 7.1 seconds left, however Donte DiVincenzo secured the offensive rebound, prompting the staff to name a timeout for one remaining try and tie or safe the win.
Edwards had one final alternative for a three-pointer, however his shot missed as soon as extra because the buzzer sounded, sealing the Grizzlies’ comeback win.
Rookie Jaylen Wells took on the problem of guarding the opposing staff’s star participant, spending a lot of the sport defending Edwards. Wells delivered a strong efficiency, holding his floor defensively whereas contributing 13 factors on offense.
Saturday marked the fourth consecutive sport that includes Minnesota’s revamped beginning lineup, with Donte DiVincenzo within the beginning 5 and veteran Mike Conley transitioning to a bench position. Since coach Chris Finch carried out the change, the Timberwolves have posted a 3-1 document.
Morant and the Grizzlies head to Houston for his or her matchup on Monday, whereas the Timberwolves journey to Washington for his or her Monday sport.