The Memphis Grizzlies were on the back end of a back-to-back. The Washington Wizards had a three-day rest since their previous game. However, the Grizzlies looked like the team with rested legs, as Ja Morant torched and literally danced all over the Wizards Saturday night.
Morant scored a game-high 34 points. He made 15 of 27 shoots from the field, including 4-of-8 from three-point range. Memphis steamrolled Washington 115-95.
As he tormented the Wizards, Morant pulled off two highlights.
In the second quarter, Morant drove on Wizards guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope before dribbling behind his back and went up and under the reach of Thomas Bryant for a tough layup. Then the All-Star broke out the Cabbage Patch dance in celebration.
Morant’s teammate Steven Adams could only laugh.
It was no laughing for the Wizards, who found themselves down 65-43 at halftime.
Grizzlies fans didn’t have to wait much longer for another glimpse of the showtime caliber plays Morant has in ammo.
A Desmond Bane chase down block of Wizards guard Spencer Dinwiddie set up one of the most entertaining in-game dunks in recent memory.
Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. pushed the ball in transition. He then found a cutting Morant, who wound up before delivering a windmill dunk off the alley oop that nearly blew the roof off of FedEx Forum.
Wizards guard Bradley Beal had an off night, shooting 2-of-11 from the field for a season-low nine points. He did have 12 assists, but his inability to score helped dig Washington into a hole in Memphis.
Kyle Kuzma led the way for the Wizards with 30 points. Kuzma scored 18 straight Wizards points during a stretch between the end of the third and start of the fourth quarter. But his efforts were not enough.
Morant and the Grizzlies have been on a tear. Memphis has won 16 of their last 19 games following Saturday’s win. Morant was named an NBA All-Star starter for the first time in his career earlier this week. He’s now garnering league MVP consideration.
The Grizzlies are now 35-17 and third in the Western Conference standings.
Meanwhile, the Wizards are going in the opposite direction. Washington has now lost five in a row, and steadily falling in the Eastern Conference standings. At 23-26, the Wizards currently are on the outside of the play-in tournament in 11th.
Rumors and speculations of the Wizards making trades has soared ahead of Feb. 10’s deadline.
