The Memphis Grizzlies crushed the Charlotte Hornets 131-107 on the back of yet another starring performance from Ja Morant.
The 23-year-old is in the middle of an MVP caliber season, leading his Grizzlies to a 24-13 record which is the equal best record in the East.
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And when you’re as good as Morant, you can basically do whatever you want — which the youngster did, hilariously wasting 27 seconds on the game clock without breaking a sweat.
Fri, 06 Jan
Friday January 6th
Leading 96-67 with just under four minutes left in the third period, an inbound pass rolled slowly in, coming to a rest inside the key at the Grizzlies end.
And Morant let it, standing over the ball as the Hornets retreated back to defend their goal.
It seemed like Morant was happy for the clock to beat him, with 27 seconds passing before a Hornets player got close enough for the star to pick up the ball.
On an inbound pass, the shot clock doesn’t start ticking until a player touches the ball,
“Ja just wants a blow here,” one of the commentators said.
“It’s been a lot of running back and forth, and you can do this – the ball hasn’t been touched. He, theoretically, could do this until midnight tonight.”
His co-commentator said: “I’ve never seen this. We’ve seen a lot of basketball – I don’t think I’ve seen this.”
On another feed, one of the commentators said: “I don’t know what the Hornets are doing”.
Morant finished the game with 23 points, eight assists and a rebound as well as a clip that has gone viral around the world.
Even Australia’s Channel 10 News called it the “Play of the Day”.
Memphis News’ Mark Giannotto joked: “’I don’t know what the Hornets are doing.’ — Brevin Knight describing this play or the future 30 for 30 doc on Michael Jordan’s career as a basketball executive and owner.”
The Athletic’s JE Skeets added simply: “This is art.”
Draftkings Sportsbook account had: “Ja Morant just doesn’t give AF”.
ESPN’s Marc J. Spears wrote: “The basketball IQ owned by @JaMorant is outstanding as evidenced below.”
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