The San Antonio Spurs fell to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night by a score of 106-98. They kept it close for most of the first half, and despite going down by double digits late in the second quarter, they battled back by the early stages of the third. Unfortunately, that’s when the Grizzlies managed to pull ahead.
Ja Morant helped lead the charge for the Grizzlies, as has been the case since his return from his 25-game suspension to begin the year. But he did more than just put up great numbers. Morant also decided to go for a highlight over star Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama.
Morant threw down a jam over Wembanyama in the paint, calling it a late Christmas gift for the fans. (H/t Jeff Smith of Sports Illustrated)
“That’s what everybody wanted, so that’s my late Christmas gift,” Morant said via Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal.
Ja Morant on his dunk on Victor Wembanyama:
“That’s what everybody wanted, so that’s my late Christmas gift.”
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) January 3, 2024
JA MORANT OVER VICTOR WEMBANYAMA.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 3, 2024
At the same time, however, Morant downplayed the dunk. He made sure to emphasize that his goal is always just to score, not necessarily to create a highlight play.
“Moment was just like any other moment when someone is guarding me,” Morant said via Jonah Kubicek of Inside the Spurs. “My goal is to score.”
Morant finished the game with 26 points, five rebounds, and 10 assists while shooting 7-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-9 from beyond the three-point arc.
Meanwhile, Wembanyama ended the night with 20 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and four blocks while shooting 8-of-16 from the floor and 2-of-5 from distance.
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