Ja Morant scores 46 to set Grizzlies' single-game record
Ja Morant's highlight reel is beginning to turn into a feature film.
Morant unleashed yet another replay-worthy moment on Saturday night, breaking out a smooth 360 layup near the end of the first half against the Bulls.
The play started off simple: Morant held the ball up top as his Grizzlies teammates got set, then hit Steven Adams at the top of the key. As soon as the ball left his hands, Morant took off and got a screen from Kyle Anderson.
Adams, one of the better passing big men in the league, bounced the ball to Morant who took off into the air. DeMar DeRozan stood between him and the basket, though, so Morant busted out an effortless spin mid-air and kissed the ball off the glass and in.
Morant finished the first half with 16 points as Memphis led first-place Chicago by seven. He would go on to finish with 46 points, setting a Grizzlies franchise record for most points in a regular-season game. The previous record (45) was held by Mike Miller and set in 2007.
Don't think for a second that Morant is all flash and no substance, though. He's taken a leap to borderline superstar status this season, as entering Saturday he averaged 26.7 points per game — seventh in the NBA — in addition to 5.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists (14th in the league) per night. He and his teammates' efforts have the Grizzlies in third place in the Western Conference.
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