'I'm not happy at all:' Ja Morant's 44 points not enough as Grizzlies lose season opener to Spurs
MEMPHIS - Ja Morant’s second-year leap started with a jump shot. It continued with a second-half flurry of drives, free throws and even a pull-up 3-pointer.
The reigning Rookie of the Year dazzled and dunked his way to a career-high 44 points in 35 minutes. The only downside was the Grizzlies couldn’t match his brilliance Wednesday.
They lost their season opener 131-119 to the San Antonio Spurs at FedExForum and yet it was almost secondary to how Morant announced he’s not content to be a one-year flash.
He finished one point shy of Mike Miller's franchise record but was far from pleased with his effort coming in a loss.
"I'm not happy at all. Obviously wanted to win that game, we came up short," Morant said. "It's learning from this game to prepare for the next. For my play, I did all right."
Morant scored 34 points in the second half and added nine assists with two steals He showed all of his tricks in a performance that only saw him shoot four times outside the paint.
He froze All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan with a hesitation dribble before hitting a floater in the first quarter. His 3-pointer came on a fastbreak, a reminder he wants to expand his game.
Morant added another highlight to his reel with an alley-oop to himself in the fourth quarter. It was supposed to be a pass to Brandon Clarke but with DeMar DeRozan trailing, Morant threw it off the backboard and dunked it in.
DIllon Brooks called Morant's performance amazing but added the Grizzlies' defense was unacceptable. It showed once Morant left with 1:13 in the first quarter.
The Grizzlies led 33-27 at that point but trailed 51-41 when Morant returned with 5:53 in the second. It was a hole they never climbed close out of.
Brooks had 16 points and had six assists, hinting at his goal of being more unselfish. But the NBA’s personal foul leader last season also fouled out, showing his discipline on defense needs work.
Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and 13 rebounds. Clarke added 10 points but the bench, an area of strength last season, struggled. Grayson Allen, who joined the starting lineup after a solid preseason, hit first two 3-pointers but didn’t score again.
Coach Taylor Jenkins said pregame that defensive efficiency is one of several metrics he'd use to judge this team. There wasn't much of that as the Spurs shot just over 50% from the field.
The Spurs outscored the Grizzlies in fastbreak points 22-19 and outrebounded them 48-42. Seven players scored in double figures and three scored at least 20 points, led by DeMar DeRozan's 28 points.
Morant’s rookie campaign hinted at things to come. He showed Wednesday his second season could be even better.
But with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Justise Winslow injured on the bench, the Grizzlies might need their rising star to carry them even more than he did last season.
"Obviously we're going to be relying on him but we got to find other guys stepping up. I got to step up," Brooks said.