Facing a combative Knicks, led in particular by a fiery Jalen Brunson, the Grizzlies were able to leave New York without experiencing a nightmare. Thanks WHO? Thanks to the group, but obviously to its leader who drove 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.
Not worried for most of the game, Taylor Jenkins’ men faced the last quarter calmly, thinking that Tom Thibodeau would not find any solution. And they weren’t even wrong. The Knicks coach could have drawn the Mona Lisa that we would all laugh together, but it was Jalen Brunson who came to his coach’s aid that rocked Madison Square Garden. Scoring 17 of his 30 points in the money, Brunson hoisted New York onto his beautiful shoulders and Cam Reddish went there with his three-point shot to put the Knicks ahead.
4 minutes to play, 112-111 NYC. Madness in the room.
The following ? You know, 12.
The number 12 will make its law reign, all in variety and subtlety. Well covered by collectively folded Knicks, Ja Morant will then go into All-Star mode and leave caviar for semi-aggressive semi-subtle mode. We let you appreciate the actions of the monster, in these last 4 minutes of the game:
- A float above the defense
- A short shot from mid-range
- A delay for Dillon Brooks from three points
- Two free throws
- A risky offensive rebound and a relegation
- Another shot
7 points, 1 assist and 2 rebounds? In jargon it’s called closing the shop.
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 nevertheless previously enjoyed with crazy ups and downs and the decisive passage of a beautiful sweetness, Ja will simply ensure the main thing. The victory of the Grizzlies, the escape of Madison without ending up in the burning hands of Jalen Brunson, and a new success after the match won this weekend against the Pelicans. The great news for Memphis? Is that in the absence of Desmond Bane, this good Morant has decided to attack the basket and the numbers translate it well: 11, 10, 15, 10 then 11 shots attempted in the last 5 games, it’s the sign of a leader who goes into the trenches. Which, we hope, will secure us a new four star rating this Wednesday night.
Next game at Wolves? A hot reunion after last season’s playoff round. If Ja and his band are playing so quietly, it’s not Minnesota’s bad form that should worry them. The rise in the MVP race is now for Jaskii.
