Ja Morant provides thrilling finish in first game back

It’s safe to say that Ja Morant’s season debut was a memorable one.

Morant was suspended for the first 25 games of the season after multiple incidents last season that involved him flashing a gun. Tuesday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans was Morant’s first game of the season. He made it count.

After falling behind 60-41 at halftime, Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies clawed back into the game in the second half. With the game tied 113-113 in the final seconds, New Orleans’ CJ McCollum missed a go-ahead three-pointer. Morant grabbed the rebound and quickly called time-out. The Grizzlies had one chance to win it in regulation and called on Morant to make that happen.

He dribbled the ball up-court then, with three seconds left, drove into the lane. While the Pelicans generally had the play well defended, Morant’s shot sailed over the hand of Herbert Jones. The ball hit off of the back of the rim and dropped into the basket as time expired, giving Memphis a 115-113 win.

It was a great game for Morant even before the buzzer-beater. He finished with 34 points, eight assists and six rebounds. The 34 points are the most a player has ever had in his first game after missing at least 25.

Morant is one of the NBA’s best and most exciting players. With that, the NBA world was quick to praise his return performance.

[StatMuse on Twitter/X, Photo Credit: TNT]