Ja Morant scores 47 as Grizzlies take Game 2 from Warriors

May 3, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) dribbles the ball as Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) defends during the second half in game two of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at FedExForum. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Ja Morant announces presence in signature win for Memphis

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 5/4/22

Down by four with under four minutes remaining, Ja Morant needed to step up big time for his Memphis Grizzlies if they were going to avoid losing two consecutive at home against the Golden State Warriors.

Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals Tuesday evening in Memphis represented a turning point for Morant and the Grizzlies against a battle-tested Warriors squad. A loss here, and Memphis would have found itelf behind the proverbial eight-ball heading into Game 3 in San Francisco.

What did the reigning NBA Most Improved Player do during that final four minutes? He put the Grizzlies on his back by scoring 13 consecutive points for Memphis.

Ja Morant caught Jordan Poole slippin pic.twitter.com/i2XXn3nlQW
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) May 4, 2022

There’s a reason this 22-year-old star guard led his Grizzlies to the second-best regular season record in the NBA at 56-26.

It also now has Memphis involved in an actual series against Golden State rather than falling into a 2-0 series hole.

A game that saw Dillon Brooks ejected early in the first quarter also included Morant going full takeover more.

Morant scored or assisted on 23 of the Grizzlies' 36 buckets. He hit on 12 of their 20 free throws and five of the team’s 14 three-pointers after hitting a mere four from distance in Memphis’ six-game Round 1 series win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Like a said JA too special to be in a MIP conversation. Rising Super⭐️
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 4, 2022

There’s very few nights of basketball like the one we saw Tuesday evening in Memphis. As Morant was doing his thing, Warriors star Stephen Curry was keeping his squad in the game.

The two exchanged body blow after body blow in the final few minutes of the game with Morant coming out on top. Adding to the drama of what has been a drama-filled and physical first two games of the series, Morant spouted off at Steph following the huge franchise-altering win.

Ja chirping Steph pic.twitter.com/A8l4ruRkU5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 4, 2022

MVP chants could be heard throughout FedEx Forum Monday evening as Morant willed his Grizzlies to an absolutely monstrous win over a favored Warriors squad.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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