Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant put on a show with two acrobatic layups during Tuesday night’s 106-104 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, and the plays have already generated 161 million views and counting across NBA social media, the league announced.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant reacted to the NBA’s social media post after the league’s official announcement
His layups became the “most-viewed” video on NBA platforms this season. Morant, who played for the first time at Barclays Center since the 2021-22 season, stunned the crowd late in the second quarter when he drove and spun mid-air for a jaw-dropping layup.
Then early in the third, Jaren Jackson Jr. found a driving Morant, who leaped and faked the Nets defender. Instead of throwing down a dunk, he pulled off a reverse spin before laying it off the glass.
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) November 5, 2024
Morant, 25, responded to the NBA’s post on X. He posted a single smiley face with tear emoji on the social media platform. This news also comes about a year after the two-time All-Star was suspended for 25 games by the NBA for brandishing a gun on Instagram Live.
The six-year veteran then suffered a season-ending torn labrum injury earlier this year. It was initially reported that he suffered a subluxation of his right shoulder during a team training session. Following ongoing soreness and discomfort, Morant underwent an MRI that revealed the labral tear.
Morant scored 25 points against the Brooklyn Nets
Morant finished Tuesday’s loss with 25 points on 10-of-22 (45.5%) shooting from the field, 1-of-3 (33.3%) from 3-point range, and four made free throws. Rookie center Zach Edey had season highs of 25 points and 11 rebounds for the Grizzlies, and Jackson ended his night with 15 points.
With the game tied at 101 with 1:13 left, Dorian Finney-Smith hit a 3-pointer and Schroder drove past Edey and made a layup to make it 106-101 with 32 seconds remaining. Although Jackson answered on the other end with a 3-pointer, Santi Aldama missed a 3 as time expired.
99.99999999% of people will never make 1 play like this.
Ja Morant made 2, tonight. pic.twitter.com/Ymzhxr3N5u
— NBA (@NBA) November 5, 2024
Through seven games this season, Morant is averaging 20.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, a career-high 9.7 assists, and 28.3 minutes per contest while shooting 45.4% from the floor, 21.4% from beyond the arc, and a career-best 83.7% at the free throw line.
The Grizzlies host the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.
