Grizzlies' Morant sets new NBA record in win over Rockets
Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant made NBA history in Tuesday night's 121-110 win over the Houston Rockets, becoming the first rookie to post at least 25 points and eight assists in one game while also shooting better than 90% from the field.
Morant's athleticism and playmaking were on full display throughout the Grizzlies' rare nationally televised game. In the closing minutes, he punctuated his dazzling performance with a step-back triple against James Harden to wrap up Memphis' sixth straight win.
"I'm having a lot of fun," Morant told reporters postgame, including ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "I'm enjoying every bit of it. I'm thankful and grateful to even be here and be able to play for Memphis in front of this crowd with these guys."
Morant, the front-runner for the NBA's Rookie of the Year, had the poise of a savvy veteran in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting to go along with three boards and two assists.
Throughout the season, first-year Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins has continually shown trust in Morant with the game on the line. In the last five minutes of games in which the point differential is five points or less, Morant is tied for 11th in the league with 3.3 points on 52.8% shooting, per NBA.com.
"Ja is the ultimate competitor," Jenkins said. "He made some high-level decisions late in the game with a lot of different coverages, a lot of different matchups thrown at him. Credit to him.
"Obviously, in a big game like this, we have the confidence that he's going to come through in the clutch. He's a confident guy, and he loves the game of basketball. He loves to go out there and compete."
Memphis is 19-22 and currently occupies the final playoff spot in the West.