Ja Morant thrived in the moment he’s known to embrace—hitting a game-winning jumper at the buzzer to secure a victory for the Memphis Grizzlies over the Miami Heat. As he made his way down the court, he soaked in the silence he’d created, relishing the role of the villain, a title he’s grown accustomed to.
“I feel like I’ve been the villain for the past two years now,” Morant reflected. “Not just with this crowd, but everywhere.”
His knack for taking over games was on full display Thursday night. The game-winner capped off a 30-point performance, helping Memphis snap a four-game losing streak. But Morant’s performance wasn’t the only headline.
His past controversies surrounding guns—both real and symbolic—resurfaced. He faced two suspensions in 2023 from the NBA: one for eight games and another for 25, following incidents where he displayed firearms on social media. More recently, he drew attention for making a finger-gun gesture toward the Golden State Warriors’ bench, a move that sparked debate, especially since Warriors’ player Buddy Hield had done something similar without facing league penalties. In Miami, Morant once again made headlines after mimicking shooting a gun toward his own bench after sinking a three-pointer.
When asked about the criticism, Morant didn’t seem bothered. “I’m well aware,” he said. “I’m used to it. I’ve pretty much been a villain for two years now. People will always find something negative to say, but honestly, I don’t care anymore.”
Despite the outside noise, Morant’s performance was all that mattered for Memphis on Thursday. After a rough first half, where he scored just three points on 1-of-7 shooting, he exploded in the second half, hitting 10 of 15 shots and scoring 27 of his 30 points, including the decisive game-winner.
“That’s beautiful to watch,” said Grizzlies interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo, who earned his first win in four attempts since taking over. “It builds confidence, not just for me as a coach, but for the entire team, having a player like that.”
The win boosted Memphis back into the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference, securing a guaranteed playoff berth and keeping them out of the play-in tournament. Morant celebrated the victory, fitting given his knack for thriving in high-pressure environments.
“I think anyone would relish that moment,” said Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr. “But for him, it’s like fuel. He feeds off it. I wouldn’t boo him, not in a million years.”
