It’s been a season to remember for Ja Morant. At the ripe age of 22, the third-year Grizzlies superstar is enjoying one of the better coming-of-age campaigns in recent memory. He’s one of the NBA’s premier pure scorers, a legitimate MVP candidate, and has Memphis near the top of the West.
What else could you possibly ask for?
It turns out when you’re as great, and as uncommonly brilliant as Morant, there’s always more waiting on the table. Superstars like him are capable of a pleasant surprise — a legitimate, unstoppable performance — every night they lace up the sneakers.
In a 116-110 win over the Bulls (+1.5), Saturday night in Chicago was no different. More importantly, it was a matter of history and bright precedent in the young superstar’s career.
Ja Morant had 46 points to lead the Grizzlies over the Bulls, 116-110.
His 46 points are the most in a regular season game in Grizzlies history.
It's also Morant's 5th 40-point game this season. No Grizzlies player before him had ever had multiple in a season. pic.twitter.com/t7fFEMnrUQ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 27, 2022
Look, 46 points are nothing to sneeze at for any player. But Morant’s only in his third year in the NBA, and he’s already making stupendous efforts like this seem all too casual while breaking Grizzlies franchise records. When something like this happens five times in a year, it might even be too much for the franchise he’s almost singlehandedly revitalized in Western Tennessee.
40-point games in a Grizzlies season:
5 — Ja Morant this season
1 — Everyone elseJa had a career-high 46 points tonight. pic.twitter.com/NaDGxPkEkt
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 27, 2022
You read that right. Morant’s fifth 40-point game of the 2021 season is five times that of any previous Grizzlies stalwart in any given year. Marc Gasol, Pau Gasol, and Zach Randolph: Step down and make way for a new king. Here’s what might be even more impressive if you’re into the stat sort of thing.
Career 40-point games in Grizzlies history:
- Ja Morant: Six
- Everyone else (10 other players combined): 12
At 42-20, the Grizzlies are dug into third place in the Western Conference. They’re a team to be reckoned with come April. If Morant and his capacity to take over any game have anything to say about it, they’ll be a squad to fear well into June.
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