Getty Image / Michael Reaves
When talking about Ja Morant’s game most folks point directly at his playmaking abilities and how he can distribute the basketball – and rightly so – but the Memphis rookie can also finish at the rim at a very high level.
On Monday night late in the fourth quarter against the Rockets, however, Morant went a little too hard at the rim and was lucky to walk away without an injury.
https://twitter.com/legionhoops/status/1191556956101545984?s=21
How his knee didn’t completely explode right there on the scene is a wild mystery, because it looked absolutely brutal. He could’ve been looking at a torn ACL and even a broken leg with how much force he landed with on a bent leg, but apparently, his legs don’t work like other people’s legs do.
It was probably safe to say that Morant was feeling himself a little bit because earlier in the game he did pull off a pretty strong put-back dunk over P.J. Tucker.
JA ON YA HEAD 😱@JaMorant | #GrzNxtGen pic.twitter.com/01Ehlh6c9C
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) November 5, 2019
Following the game, Russell Westbrook – who sat out on Monday – caught up with Morant likely giving the young guard some advice. Morant’s attempted dunk was reminiscent of dunks we see from Westbrook, but I’m guessing Westbrook told Morant to be a little more careful flying in like that.
The Rockets knocked off the Grizzlies 107-100. Morant finished the night with 23 points, six assists and five rebounds. The former Murray State standout is averaging 19.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game through six games this season.
During Memphis’ only win this season against the Nets served as Morant’s coming out party as he dropped 30 points and shut down Kyrie Irving on a buzzer-beater attempt in the fourth quarter.