Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is one of the most captivating young talents in the current NBA landscape.
The 6-foot-2 point guard was chosen by the Grizzlies as the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, following an impressive two-season stint in college basketball at Murray State.
Marketed by Nike as their first Generation Z superstar, Morant quickly made his mark in the league by securing the 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year honor, surpassing the performance of his draft's year's top pick, forward Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Morant continued to elevate his game and refine his skills, earning the 2022 NBA Most Improved Player accolade.
The 24-year-old made the All-NBA Second Team in 2022 and earned a much-deserved spot in the NBA All-Star Game in both 2022 and 2023.
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5 Best Moments of Ja Morant's Career
1. Most-viewed Instagram video
Morant is recognized for starring in the NBA's most-watched Instagram video ever.
This clip showcases the point guard nailing an incredible buzzer-beater off a catch in the air, courtesy of an inbound pass from center Steven Adams spanning the entire court's length with 0.4 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
The NBA reported that the video amassed an impressive 42.1 million views.
2. Series-swinging dunk
Down by 13 before this moment, Morant's impactful slam dunk over former Minnesota Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley catalyzed a Grizzlies comeback during Game 5 of their first-round series in the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
This electrifying play fueled Memphis to outscore Minnesota in the fourth quarter, securing a victory in the pivotal Game 5.
The Grizzlies carried this momentum into Game 6, ultimately advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals.
3. Grizzlies eliminate the Warriors
One of the initial indicators of Morant's future stardom surfaced during the 2021 Play-In Tournament. The Memphis Grizzlies clashed with the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center in a high-stakes matchup for the 8th seed in the playoffs.
The Warriors have an immense championship pedigree, with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Kevon Looney seeing action for the Dubs in that game.
However, defying their relative inexperience, the Grizzlies emerged victorious in a tense overtime showdown. Morant was instrumental, racking up 35 points and sinking five three-pointers to seal a 117-112 win in the extra period.
4. Game-winner in comeback game
After receiving a 25-game suspension from the league following his second gun-flashing incident on social media during the offseason, Morant finally returned to the court on Tuesday, December 19, against the New Orleans Pelicans on the road.
The 2022 NBA Most Improved Player showed no rust in his return, capping off the evening with an incredible buzzer-beater game-winner to complete his triumphant comeback.
5. Career-high game
Morant scored a career-high 52 points during a home game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 28, 2022.
The dynamic point guard broke the franchise record of 46 points, which he set two days prior. He shot 22-of-30 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range, showcasing a wide array of arsenal en route to the career-best output.
Notably, during this game, the NBA's most-viewed video on Instagram happened, with Morant's buzzer-beater accounting for 2 of his 52 points that evening.
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