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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

After the intense clash last night between the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies, the Volunteer State attained glory. However, in the face of defeat, the rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama went on record to praise the “controversy king” Ja Morant. Not only did Morant have a brilliant game, but he also had a highlight reel moment with the 7-foot-4 Wemby when he dunked over him. This showed the level of athleticism possessed by the self-proclaimed “Black Jesus.”

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The 19-year-old French sensation, however, praised the 24-year-old Ja Morant in the post-match interview, calling him a “Franchise player who’s causing problems,” but also threw some shade at his stature.

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Wemby shows his respect for Ja Morant sarcastically

After suffering a 106-98 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies, Victor Wembanyama was asked about the performance of the 2x NBA All-Star Ja Morant. He went on to call him a good player, however called him “very small” due to which “it’s hard to catch up on him.” He even praised Morant, saying, “It’s just another great player that I see every night now in the NBA. Everyone’s got a franchise player like this who’s causing problems.” Not only Wembanyama but, from the time Morant has returned, he has also grabbed the eyeballs of everyone in the NBA.

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He returned on 19th December against the New Orleans Pelicans after a 25-game ban due to his gun controversy. However, immediately after returning, he proved to not only be known for his controversies but also for his spectacular gameplay. Morant even won the Player of the Week title in the first week of his return and raised the morale of his team as they were on the decline before his return.

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Now, as their cornerstone has come back even stronger, their team has risen from the dead. With a spectacular 26 points and 10 assists, Ja Morant led the Grizzlies to victory with the help of Desmond Bane, who aided them with 24 points. However, while Ja Morant was suspended, the story for the Memphis Grizzlies was completely different.

What was the record of the Volunteer State without Ja Morant?

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Without Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies were having a tough time in the league with 19 losses and just 6 wins. Not only that, they were an offensive disaster as they were ranking last in points per game and second-to-last in 3-point shooting. Only two players in their squad, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. averaged more than 12.5 points per game, which clearly showed their offensive difficulties.

Read More: Ja Morant Gives Victor Wembanyama “Christmas Gift” a Week Later

Even the loss of other important players added to their difficulties, with Marcus Smart being out since November 14 due to a foot ailment. Furthermore, Luke Kennard had been sidelined due to a knee ailment, and Derrick Rose was suffering a left hamstring injury. Due to this, the Memphis Grizzlies were not able to perform at their maximum caliber, however now that Ja Morant is back and hopefully does not do anything questionable again, they are finally on the right track.

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Watch this Story: Victor Wembanyama Impresses Dwight Howard With Record Breaking Game

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Dhruv Shastry

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Dhruv Shastry, an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports, brings a wealth of hooping experience to his reporting. Despite contending with an ankle injury that curtailed his on-court endeavors, Dhruv remains at the forefront of his game, displaying an unparalleled understanding of basketball in every aspect as he draws inspiration from the legendary Kobe Bryant. Serving as a contributor to ES, Dhruv's journalistic focus extends to the lifestyle segment of basketball. His reporting involves analyzing sporting personalities, delving into their brand endorsements, tracking trades, and providing insights into their personal lives. With a breakthrough approach, he is not just a writer but a tactician in dissecting the intricate facets of the basketball world. Beyond the adrenaline of the game, Dhruv delves into writing, composing, and engineering music for global audiences.

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Ruth John

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