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Just three games into his fascinating Rookie of the Year campaign, Ja Morant made a bit of history after leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a narrow 134-133 overtime victory over Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 27, 2019.
Morant tallied 30 points, nine assists and four rebounds and became one of just three players in NBA history to record at least 30 points and nine assists within his first three games. Morant scored 17 points alone in the final quarter of that game to set up a dramatic finish.
With just seven seconds left, Morant scored a layup to tie the game up at 120 apiece. Following the layup, Morant was matched up on Irving on the final possession of regulation. With time winding down, Morant defended Irving perfectly and blocked the potential game-winning shot.
While Morant finished with his first career 30-point game, which still stands as his only such performance, Irving poured in 37 points for the Nets. The matchup proved to be a highly-entertaining affair with arguably the best point guard in the league dueling against a rookie.
Overall, the performance by Morant proved to be a precursor to what would become an electric first season in the NBA. He often proved that no moment was too big and his back-and-forth with Irving last year certainly proved that in just his third game in the NBA.
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