Glancing at the standings, Tuesday night’s game between the 10–22 Memphis Grizzlies and 5–27 San Antonio Spurs might not have appeared to be the most tantalizing matchup.
However, the NBA is a game of stars, which meant the Grizzlies versus the Spurs gave us a showdown between Ja Morant and Victor Wembanyama. The standout moments from that clash did not disappoint.
In the game’s first minute, Morant tried to challenge the Spurs’ rookie sensation in a one-on-one matchup by taking the ball to the basket. But Wembanyama rejected the shot, showing nimble footwork and impossibly long arms.
WEMBY BLOCKS JA ✋ pic.twitter.com/9FVk2VjSpE
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 3, 2024
The Grizzlies star went at the rookie again midway through the fourth quarter and made certain his shot wouldn’t be blocked. Morant gained a step with a crossover dribble and surged toward the rim for an emphatic two-handed dunk. Some nitpickers insisted that Morant didn’t actually dunk on Wembanyama. Yet the majority of fans were thrilled at the confrontation.
The dunk was great; the move to get to his launch spot was even better. Very few humans on the planet could have made all that happen.
— Anthony Morrison (@morriaa) January 3, 2024
off two feet & two hand finish is even more insane
— RJ (@arrjae) January 3, 2024
Morant could dunk on The Space Needle.
— Ronald P. Seyb (@RonaldPSeyb) January 3, 2024
Dont care what nobody says, considering the size difference, He def dunked on Wemby
— Imma Nuel (@Swaggannointedd) January 3, 2024
Crazy thing is he's just testing him out. Wait till he gets the real poster later.
— DARUZO (@BullsGhost1) January 3, 2024
That lil Shift had Wemby in another dimension
— PlaybyPlayBark (@playbyplaybark) January 3, 2024
If this happened earlier in the season, Morant’s dunk might have been a “Welcome to the NBA” moment for Wembanyama. At this point, however, the play was a forceful introduction between stars who will face each other for years to come.
Morant finished with 26 points, leading Memphis to a 108–96 victory. Wembanyama led the Spurs with 20 points, including a graceful three-pointer, but didn’t get as much help from his teammates in the effort.
