Grizzlies lose Ja Morant
The Grizzlies are used to Ja Morant leaping to great heights on dunks. But one leap by Morant on Monday had the team and a city holding their breath
Morant went for a block but came down on the foot of Brooklyn Nets guard Timothe Luwawu-cabarrot with 2:43 left in the second quarter. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year hopped off the court before crumpling to the floor with a sprained left ankle.
He was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair and returned as a spectator to start the fourth quarter while wearing a boot. But as he's done in two seasons, his presence added a lift from the bench. The Grizzlies rallied for a 116-111 overtime win at Barclays Center. As they battled the Nets through the fourth quarter, Grizzlies broadcaster Pete Pranica said on air that X-rays on Morant's ankle were negative and an MRI is set for Tuesday.
"He's going to bounce back and be fine. We'll have more updates as we get going through but so far so good," Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said.
For a team already dealing with two injured players in Jaren Jackson Jr. and Justise Winslow, losing Morant is another blow the Grizzlies (1-2) can't afford. His scoring and facilitating make them must-see TV as he's become of the NBA'S bright young stars.
Morant's teammates carried the load for a road win over the shorthanded Nets playing without Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving. Kyle Anderson had a career-high 28 points and finished with three free throws in the final four seconds.
For the first time in his NBA career, Anderson scored at least 20 points in consecutive games. He also made a career-high four 3-pointers
Brandon Clarke added 16 points off the bench and looked close to his old self staying active in the paint. It was as encouraging as seeing Morant cheer on the finish while standing on the sidelines.
"That was probably a choice by him to give us confidence to hold on and win out," said Dillon Brooks, who had 24 points.
"Ja came back and brought a bunch of energy to the bench which really, really helped us," added Clarke "Ja's a guy that just wants to win even if he's not playing, he can still find ways to help us win."
Clarke put the Grizzlies up 112-111 on a putback with 38.6 seconds left. After Grayson Allen made one of two free throws, Anderson put the game away at the foul line following a missed 3pointer by the Nets' Joe Harris.
Jenkins called it an "unbelievable display of resilience" but with Morant expected to miss some time, the Grizzlies will need more of it. He averaged 36 points in the first two games, including a career-high 44 points in the season opener.