Ja Morant came into this game as the new recipient of the NBA Most Improved Player Award. After the Grizzlies superstar’s performance in the final quarter bringing Memphis back from an 11-point deficit, questions of why he’s not in the running for MVP will be asked.
By the end of this game, Morant had the entire arena, along with any NBA fan that loves this game screaming at the top of their lungs. The Murray State product officially put his name in the hat of the undisputed future superstars after finishing Game 5 with 30-point, 13 rebounds, and nine assists to lift Memphis to a shocking 111-109 victory as time expired.
The 2022 All-Star’s poster at the end of the third quarter would impact national headlines even if the Grizzlies lost.
12 is simply different.
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 27, 2022
(via @memgrizz) pic.twitter.com/NII8jKnYes
But it was his 18-point 4th quarter that set the League on fire. He overcame six missed free throws to lead Memphis on a 23-7 run to make the game close. Morant then took the game over late in the fourth quarter.
First, with a little over a minute left in the game, Morant received a tap back rebound from Brandon Clarke to knock down a huge three-pointer to give his team the lead.
12.
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 27, 2022
(via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/yBc4zqPkic
Then after Anthony Edwards knocked down a clutch corner three-pointer to tie the game at 109, Morant closed the game out in spectacular fashion.
JA MORANT IS UNREAL!
— NBA (@NBA) April 27, 2022
The @memgrizz win Game 5! pic.twitter.com/h7setPIvTp
Memphis now owns a 3-2 lead in this first-round Western Conference series, with Game 6 being Friday night in Minnesota.
