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Ja Morant Joins Exclusive Club With LeBron James and Magic Johnson With His 47 Point Performance Against Jazz
Say what you have to but the Memphis Grizzlies are surprising everyone with how they are playing against the best team in the West. After their upset win over the Utah Jazz in their first game, the Grizzlies entered Game 2 with an even stronger will to defeat. While the Jazz didn’t let that happen, the Grizzlies Ja Morant outdid himself with his incredible performance and ended up adding his name next to the league’s big’s like LeBron James, Magic Johnson, and others.
Ja Morant outshines even in defeat
The Grizzlies have already surpassed all expectations. First, by simply just making it into the playoffs and then actually defeating the Utah Jazz in Game 1. However, the victory didn’t last very long as the Jazz rallied back harder in Game 2.
What was more shocking was their loss despite Ja Morant dropping a monstrous 47-point performance that has created a record for the franchise. As per StatMuse, “Ja Morant has set the Grizzlies franchise record for points in a playoff game. 47 PTS 7 AST 15-26 FG 15-20 FT.” And this is only just the second playoff game of his career.
Ja Morant has set the Grizzlies franchise record for points in a playoff game.
47 PTS
7 AST
15-26 FG
15-20 FTIt’s only his 2nd career playoff game. pic.twitter.com/Nyqs7fGBLn
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 27, 2021
Moreover, the 21-year-old has created history to become the youngest player in the league’s history who has scored 40+ points in any playoff game. The other legends in this list are Luka Doncic, Magic Johnson, and LeBron James.
Youngest players in NBA history to drop 40+ points in a playoff game:
1. Magic Johnson
2. LeBron James
3. Luka Doncic
4. Ja Morant (tonight)He is 21 years old. pic.twitter.com/Ebmp8kLkKd
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 27, 2021
The only player who has scored more points than Morant in the first two playoff games is George Mikan at 75 points. Morant is at 73, and he has surpassed Luka Doncic who had 70, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who had 69.
Most points in first 2 career playoff games in NBA history:
75 — George Mikan
73 — Ja Morant
70 — Luka Doncic
69 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar pic.twitter.com/js63q2p8wa— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 27, 2021
What helped the Utah Jazz triumph over the Grizzlies?
The Jazz finally had their trump card, Donovan Mitchell return to the court for the first time since April. His 25 points and brilliant playmaking helped secure this 141-129 win against the Memphis Grizzlies.
His presence on the court is even more significant in Utah’s success than his scoring. Why? Because when defenders try to contain him, it opens up the other players. They had a big lead by the first half itself as Mitchell continued to drop threes.
The Grizzlies have more to worry about now that Mitchell is back. However, one thing everyone has seen this season is to not underestimate Memphis. And after the way Morant put on a show in this game, anything could happen. What is your prediction for this gripping series?
READ MORE: Duke Blue Devils’ DJ Steward Reveals He Modelled His Game After 2020 NBA ROTY Ja Morant
The post Ja Morant Joins Exclusive Club With LeBron James and Magic Johnson With His 47 Point Performance Against Jazz appeared first on EssentiallySports.
