When the Memphis Grizzlies lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 on Saturday, Ja Morant believed that the team beat themselves, allowing 130 points.
Although he scored 32 points, Morant was unhappy with his overall performance and on Instagram posted a captionless picture that featured a clip from the Last Dance where Michael Jordan spoke about can trash when they’re in the lead.
The All-Star point guard had the best total floor game of his playoff career, leading Memphis to a 124-96 blowout. Despite only scoring 23 points in the game, he made his teammates better and controlled the game with a near triple-double adding nine rebounds and 10 assists. His playmaking opened up the offense and allowed seven Grizzlies players to score in the double figures.
Ja spin.
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2022
JJJ block.
JJJ three.
Ja three.
What a @memgrizz run on NBA TV!#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/L5fr72yYiK
While Morant was working his magic with his teammates on the floor evening the series, his family became one of the more fun storylines of the NBA playoffs. His father has collaborated with Karl Anthony Towns’ father to add a fun trash-talking element to the series that started at the end of Game 1.
KAT and Ja’s dad’s are still talking trash to each other 😂 pic.twitter.com/stJECBnvug
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 20, 2022
For the first time in the series, Morant’s daughter, Kaari, has become a viral sensation after cameras panned her enjoying her dad’s latest exploits on the court.
This moment of @JaMorant’s daughter, Kaari ❤️
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 20, 2022
So wholesome
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/SLusGpnhuW
Once his post-game on-court interview concluded, Morant motioned his daughter to join him as he carried her on his shoulders to walk back to her grandfather.
Ja and Kaari walking off in #PhantomCam after the Grizzlies Game 2 win! pic.twitter.com/Ae85LGbr8H
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2022
As the series shifts to Minnesota, Morant’s family has brought an up and personal visual of total family support for a superstar we haven’t since Stephen Curry rose to prominence during the 2014 playoffs. Something that impressed ESPN analyst Jalen Rose to the utmost earlier this week.
.@JalenRose says the NBA “is in the best position that it’s been in since Michael Jordan retired.”
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 18, 2022
Do you agree? 👀 pic.twitter.com/I8i0TlrU0e
The pivotal Game 3 matchup is on Thursday, where the winner will go up 2-1 in their first-round matchup.
