Ja Morant delivers game-winning shot in thrilling Grizzlies victory
- Ja Morant scored 30 points in the game, including a decisive jumper at the buzzer to win the match.
- The Grizzlies' victory ended a four-game losing streak and marked Tuomas Iisalo's first win as interim coach.
- The outcome affected both teams' standings, propelling the Grizzlies upward and snapping the Heat's six-game winning streak.
In Miami, the Memphis Grizzlies faced off against the Miami Heat on Thursday night, a game marked by high stakes for both teams. Ja Morant emerged as the hero, making a pivotal 12-foot jumper at the buzzer, which secured a 110-108 victory for the Grizzlies. This win was crucial for Memphis, ending a disappointing four-game losing streak and providing interim coach Tuomas Iisalo with his first victory in charge. In addition to Morant's standout performance, which saw him scoring 30 points—11 of which came in the fourth quarter—the game also featured contributions from Desmond Bane, who recorded 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Scotty Pippen Jr., who added another 17 points. The victory lifted the Grizzlies out of the play-in tournament range, reigniting their hopes of securing a top-six seed. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat had their six-game winning streak snapped, with Tyler Herro leading his team with a remarkable 35 points, supported by Bam Adebayo’s 26 points and Kel'el Ware's impressive double-double (13 points and 15 rebounds). This matchup was keenly contested, with neither team establishing a double-digit lead throughout the game, a testament to the competitiveness on the court. The Heat became locked into the play-in tournament earlier in the day following a loss by the Milwaukee Bucks to the Philadelphia 76ers, marking their third consecutive play-in berth since they made it to the NBA Finals in 2023. This victory for the Grizzlies not only provided a much-needed morale boost but also demonstrated Morant's resilience and ability to perform under pressure, a quality that has attracted both criticism and admiration over the recent years. In the aftermath of the match, Morant expressed his feelings about the criticism directed toward him and embraced his role as a figure of controversy, indicating that he is accustomed to the scrutiny and it does not hinder him. Both teams are scheduled to play again in their next matchups, with Memphis visiting Detroit and Miami hosting Milwaukee on Saturday.