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The Comeback: Moment of Focus of Ja Morant Before Stepping Back Onto the Court
The clock ticked towards the tip-off for the Grizzlies vs. Pelicans. While his teammates went through pre-game routines, Ja Morant, 24 and an All-Star guard, sought solitude against the tunnel wall. He needed a solo moment to gather his thoughts before stepping back onto the NBA court after a seven-month absence.
It wasn’t just any game; it was his return, a comeback awaited by fans and teammates alike. The pressure crackled in the air, but Ja Morant, leaning against the cool stone, was determined to channel it into focus, not fear.
His teammates huddled one last time, voices buzzing with nervous excitement. But Ja still stood apart, eyes closed, visualizing the game to come. He pictured his signature lightning-fast drives, the swish of the net as he sank at three, the roar of the Grizzlies faithful.
Each mental image fueled his fire, replacing nerves with anticipation. Soon, it would be time. A deep breath with a fist pump and Ja joined the huddle, a flicker of a smile on his lips.
King Ja Returns: Morant Electrifies Memphis with Dramatic Buzzer Beater in Comeback Win!
Smoothie King Center buzzed with electricity. Grizzlies fans, giddy and nervous, erupted in cheers. Pelicans fanatics roared disapproval, a chorus of boos bouncing off every Morant dribble. The wait was over. No more countdown clocks, no more “what-ifs”.
Ja Morant, basketball’s electric king, was back. After 25 games, the suspension of a player who brandished a gun has been forgotten. Memphis, teetering near the bottom with a 6-19 record, braced for the jolt. Buckle up, Grizzlies Nation.
Morant made a poetic return to NBA action, scoring 34 points, providing eight assists, and securing six rebounds, a steal, and a block in 35 minutes. He sealed the stunning 115-113 victory over the Pelicans with a game-winning layup at the buzzer.
Despite an eight-month hiatus, Morant defied expectations of rusty legs, stating, “I’m a dog. I put in the work day in and day out. I haven’t played a game in eight months. I had a lot of time to learn about myself. A lot of hard days where I went through it, but basketball is my life, what I love, and (it’s) therapeutic for me, and I’m excited to be back.“
Morant’s Relentless Hustle Fuels Grizzlies’ Dramatic Comeback Victory: From Rust to Riotous Rally!
Morant exerted constant pressure, demonstrated playmaking skills, and displayed persistence, all of which were crucial elements for a resilient Grizzlies team.
The team refused to give up, rallying back from a 24-point deficit and concluding the game with a 13-5 run. Morant fiercely contested every inch of the floor without showing signs of fatigue. He overcame some first-half rust and responded impressively in the second half.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins stated, “(Morant) relishes these moments. He was beyond excited to get out there with his teammates and play basketball, the game that he loves.
“I thought he came out and set a tone for us on both ends of the floor. Love his poise in certain situations — pick-and-roll, setting up his teammates, hitting rollers, finding teammates — it becomes infectious.”
Memphis Grizzlies Gaining Traction with Strong Trio of Morant, Bane, and Jackson
Memphis has heavily relied on the strengths of Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. throughout the first 25 games of the season in the absence of Morant. Recently, the team found an offensive rhythm in December.
Bane and Jackson continued their strong performance against New Orleans, combining for 45 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three blocks.
The Grizzlies now believe they have the necessary foundation, with Morant, Bane, and Jackson, to start climbing out of the conference cellar and moving up the standings.
Jenkins said, “When you can bank on Ja, Jaren, and Des being guys that you’re going to lean on both offensively and defensively, it’s huge.
It allows us to get organized. We’ve been in some close games in the fourth quarter and maybe haven’t closed it out, but we haven’t had a game like this where it came down to the last possession. Having those three guys to lean on is awesome. Just gotta keep building one day at a time.”
With the win, the Grizzlies improved to 7-19, holding the 13th position in the Western Conference. They will host the Indiana Pacers on Thursday before embarking on a four-game road trip against the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans, Denver Nuggets, and LA Clippers.
My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.
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