Holy Ja Morant, Batman. The Memphis Grizzlies star made his return to basketball with a colossal game-sealing bucket.
Morant re-joined the Memphis organization on the court Tuesday after a 25-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. To come back, Morant had to meet specific requirements set by the NBA.
The Grizzlies guard’s season debut came on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans. Memphis was down by as much as 24 points before erasing the deficit and eventually getting into a back-and-forth chess match in the waning minutes of the 4th quarter.
That’s when Morant unleashed a wild spin move that turned into a buzzer-beating bucket as time expired to give Memphis an emphatic win.
JA MORANT CAPS THE @memgrizz 24-POINT COMEBACK WITH THE #TISSOTBUZZERBEATER!
34 points for Ja in the thrilling W.#TimeDefinesGreatness pic.twitter.com/qa3tEPQwry
— NBA (@NBA) December 20, 2023
The internet was rightfully in disbelief, including LeBron James and multiple current and former NBA players. Here’s what they had to say:
Warning: NSFW language.
1️⃣2️⃣!!!! That’s All 😤😤😤😤
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 20, 2023
Tough Ja!!
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) December 20, 2023
Welcome back Ja MF Morant!!! The game missed you young fella. Carry the hell on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 20, 2023
Bounce back like Ja
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) December 20, 2023
welcome back Ja! WOW 👏🏻👏🏻
— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) December 20, 2023
No way Ja first game back GW 😮💨 that’s so tuff man
— Josuélito (@J_Rich1) December 20, 2023
He’s back!!!!!
#12#JaMorant— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) December 20, 2023
That bul ja morant special!!!
— Philly Cheese 🧀 (@dionwaiters3) December 20, 2023
12 back. the city in good hands.
— solomon hill (@solohill) December 20, 2023
12
— kuz (@kylekuzma) December 20, 2023
Ja Morant!!!! Ok killlaaaaaaaaaaa
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) December 20, 2023
thats tuffffffff
— Jordan Clarkson (@JordanClarksons) December 20, 2023
