X

LeBron James, Fans Awed by Ja Morant as Grizzlies Beat Steph Curry, Warriors

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVMay 4, 2022

MEMPHIS, TN - MAY 3: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies cheers during Game 2 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals on May 3, 2022 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

Ja Morant, your spot at the NBA superstars' table is ready.

The 22-year-old phenom put on a show while leading his Memphis Grizzlies to a 106-101 victory over Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of their Western Conference Semifinals series Tuesday. The series is tied at one game each after No. 12's masterpiece.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

47 points.<br><br>22 years old. <a href="https://t.co/cNvX7i96ly">pic.twitter.com/cNvX7i96ly</a>

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

JA IS TAKING OVER 😤 <a href="https://t.co/YyMMicaOzg">pic.twitter.com/YyMMicaOzg</a>

Memphis Grizzlies @memgrizz

HIM. <a href="https://t.co/m7UIjJ0fyj">pic.twitter.com/m7UIjJ0fyj</a>

NBA @NBA

Ja Morant's hangtime is ridiculous!<br><br>He finishes the first half with 23 points šŸ€<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> presented by Google Pixel on TNT <a href="https://t.co/WFsyTIxhVc">pic.twitter.com/WFsyTIxhVc</a>

NBA @NBA

Ja Morant cleared for takeoff šŸ›«<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> presented by Google Pixel on TNT <a href="https://t.co/X97NqCt8Xu">pic.twitter.com/X97NqCt8Xu</a>

NBA @NBA

Ja Morant is a problem in the paint!<br><br>He's up to 32 points for the <a href="https://twitter.com/memgrizz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@memgrizz</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> presented by Google Pixel on TNT <a href="https://t.co/K8QKr1uVRd">pic.twitter.com/K8QKr1uVRd</a>

It appeared the Warriors would steal both games in Memphis when Curry banked in a three to put them up four in the final five minutes, but Morant responded by scoring 15 consecutive points for his team to clinch the victory.

Included in that flurry was a step-back three-pointer, a move that left Jordan Poole falling to the ground and multiple clutch free throws. 

He had LeBron James and seemingly everyone else in awe on his way to 47 points, eight assists, eight rebounds and three steals:

LeBron James @KingJames

JA so damn tough!!!! There's no way Ja should even have been in MIP talks. This guy is a flat out ā­ļø and always have been!! Real basketball 🧠s know. Not the majority of dweebs who don't even watch basketball on those voting ballots.

LeBron James @KingJames

Like a said JA too special to be in a MIP conversation. Rising Superā­ļø

Jabari Ali Davis @JabariDavisNBA

Ja continues to do stuff that physically, simply doesn’t make sense…and I’m forever grateful we get to witness it in real time.

Shea Serrano @SheaSerrano

ja morant plays basketball like god is holding down his turbo button and i love it

Holly MacKenzie @stackmack

ja in the air: effortlessly fluid AND acrobatically aggressive…at the same time. he's absolutely incredible.

claire de lune @ClaireMPLS

i would like to order 7 games of steph curry vs ja morant please

Dan Favale @danfavale

nba players to score *more* than 45 pts in *multiple* playoff games before their 23rd birthday (via <a href="https://twitter.com/Stathead?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@stathead</a>):<br><br>—ja morant (2x)<br><br>that's it. that's the list. <a href="https://t.co/azzIMfJysH">pic.twitter.com/azzIMfJysH</a>

br_betting @br_betting

Ja scored the last 15 points for the Grizzlies šŸ”„ <a href="https://t.co/nmFBRsOeMO">pic.twitter.com/nmFBRsOeMO</a>

Golden State fought through some adversity, as Gary Payton II was ruled out with an elbow injury he suffered on a Dillon Brooks flagrant-2 foul after just three minutes. Draymond Green also needed stitches and returned with a badly swollen eye.

While they battled through those setbacks, along with Curry and Klay Thompson's combined 5-of-23 shooting from three-point range, they couldn't overcome Morant's flurry that sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling Game 3 on Saturday.