Ja Morant ended the Memphis Grizzles' four-game losing streak in style.
Morant hit a game-winning jump shot as time expired to lift the Grizzles to a 110-108 win over the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on Thursday. The win not only ended a four-game skid for Memphis, but the victory lifted the Grizzlies into sixth place in the Western Conference standings over the Los Angeles Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves to avoid the play-in tournament, if the standings hold.
FADEAWAY.
— NBA (@NBA) April 4, 2025
BUCKET.
GAME.
🫡 @JaMoranthttps://t.co/ZAvp3ve3vhpic.twitter.com/qcR5W1mTcH
The game was tied up at 108-108 with 13. 1 seconds when Morant dribbled toward the basket while being defended by the Heat's Kel'el Ware. Morant then hit a 12-foot setback jumper that had a friendly bounce on the rim as the clock expired. Morant ran to embrace and celebrate with his father Tee Morant, who was sitting courtside.
Tee Morant flashed his wrist and said, "What time is it?" Game time. When asked what he saw in the final possession, Morant said "a pigeon guarding me,” adding that he wanted to "go get a bucket and win the game."
Morant finished with a team-high 30 points, with 11 points coming in the fourth quarter. Early in the game, after knocking down a 3-pointer, Morant flashed his controversial hand gesture, the same celebration the league deemed inappropriate and warned players and teams from using.
Earlier Thursday, USA TODAY Sports reported that the NBA would not penalize Morant and Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield for hand gestures that can be construed as shooting a gun, a person with knowledge of the league’s decision told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the league’s decision.
Desmond Bane finished with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Scotty Pippen Jr. added 17 points off the bench for Memphis.
Tyler Herro had a game-high 35 points in the loss, which snapped Miami's six-game winning streak. Bam Adebayo added 26 points, five assists and two blocks, while Ware had 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Contributing: Jeff Zillgitt
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