Faced with combative Knicks, notably led by a fiery Jalen Brunson, the Grizzlies were able to leave New York without experiencing a nightmare. Thanks WHO ? Thank you to the group, but obviously its leader who led the carriage safely in the money-time: Ja Morant in triple-double, victory 127 to 123.
The evening could have ended much less well for Memphis.
Little worried for most of the game, Taylor Jenkins’ men approached their last quarter quite calmly, thinking that Tom Thibodeau would find no solution. And they weren’t wrong either. The Knicks coach could have drawn the Mona Lisa that we would have laughed all together, but it was Jalen Brunson who came to the aid of his coach to make Madison Square Garden vibrate. Scoring 17 of his 30 points in the money-time, Brunson hoisted New York on his beautiful shoulders and Cam Reddish went there with his three-point shot to put the Knicks in front.
4 minutes to play, 112-111 New York. Madness in the room.
The following ? You know, 12.
Number 12 will make its law reign, all in variety and finesse. Well covered by collectively folded Knicks, Ja Morant will then go into All-Star mode and leave the caviars for the semi-aggressive semi-subtle mode. We let you appreciate the actions of the monster, over these last 4 minutes of play:
- A floater over the defense
- A short mid-range shot
- A lag for Dillon Brooks at three-pointers
- Two free throws
- A risky offensive rebound and putback
- Another throw
7 points, 1 assist and 2 rebounds? It’s called closing the shop in the jargon.
Ja Morant is even more absurd in slow motion ???? pic.twitter.com/iOB7WLmeOB
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 28, 2022
Without being ultra-spectacular on this finish, having all the same enjoyed previously with crazy ups and unders and the decisive pass of a beautiful sweetness, Ja will simply ensure the main thing. The victory of the Grizzlies, the breakaway of the Madison without finishing in the burning hands of Jalen Brunson, and a new success after the match won this weekend against the Pelicans. The very good news for Memphis? It’s that in the absence of Desmond Bane, this good Morant decided to attack the hoop and the numbers translate it well: 11, 10, 15, 10 then 11 shots attempted in the last 5 games, it’s is the sign of a leader who goes into the trenches. Which, we hope, will ensure us a new four-star perf this Wednesday evening.
Next game at Wolves? A hot reunion after last season’s Playoffs round. If Ja and his band are playing so calmly, it’s not Minnesota’s poor form that should worry them. The rise in the MVP race is now for Jaskii.