Skip to content
Update

Is Ja Morant the most box-office star in the NBA? Memphis Grizzlies superstar's consecutive career-highs give him the chance to complete unique hat-trick

Ja Morant has set a new career-high in his two previous consecutive games – can he complete a remarkable hat-trick?; find out live on Sky Sports as the Memphis Grizzlies face the Boston Celtics tonight from 12.30am on SS Arena; followed by LA Lakers @ LA Clippers from 3am

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant broke his own franchise record against the San Antonio Spurs scoring 52 points, dazzling the crowd with some highlight plays

There seems to be absolutely no stopping the meteoric rise of Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant right now.

In two consecutive games he has broken his personal career-high mark for points during the regular season and set a new Grizzlies franchise record for points scored in a game.

On Saturday night, he scored 46 points in Memphis' 116-110 win over the Chicago Bulls, showcasing his entire repertoire of dazzling skills in the process and then he bettered that with 52 points against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

During that latest explosion, Morant threw down a massive dunk over seven-footer Jakob Poeltl and also hit a three-pointer from near the logo with the shot clock running down on his way to a career-high 52 points, lifting the Grizzlies over the Spurs 118-105.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Morant posterized Jakob Poeltl with a potential dunk of the year contender against the San Antonio Spurs

The arena was still buzzing from Morant's fast-break slam late in the second quarter when Steven Adams delivered a length-of-the-court pass to Morant, who caught it mid-air and flipped in a buzzer-beater from the left baseline for a 68-58 half-time lead.

"It's got to be the 50 [points]," Morant said when asked what was most memorable on another night of dazzling highlights, adding: "I'm thankful for my team-mates, my coaches. They believe in me and have all the confidence in the world that I'll make the right plays."

Morant added 13 consecutive points during the fourth quarter to break the game open and was highly efficient on the night, connecting on 22 of 30 from the field. He also hit all four three-point tries as Memphis won their second straight.

Also See:

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Morant hits one of the craziest shots of the season with an incredible acrobatic buzzer-beater in their victory over the San Antonio Spurs

He said team-mates began feeding him the ball in the fourth quarter when the 50-point target was in sight.

"He's at the rim every night, but the way he put it together tonight, he was just in attack mode from the jump," team-mate De'Anthony Melton said. "He got whatever he wanted, and it looked easy out there. It was just special to be out there and watch that."

The former No 2 overall pick is undeniably a top-10 player in the NBA now and talent-wise could well be in the top five.

In addition to that, his style of play might be the most watchable in a league of ridiculously talented players.

His ability as a point guard to cannonball towards the rim is unparalleled and he accompanies that with the ability to dish crazily audacious passes and shoot skilfully from deep as well.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Morant scores 46 points, a new career-high at the time, in the Memphis Grizzlies' victory over the Chicago Bulls in Week 19 of the NBA

The newly-minted All-Star's first signature night against Chicago also included a plethora of his gravity-defying assaults on the rim – including a 360-degree lay-up around MVP candidate DeMar DeRozan – and a one-handed alley-oop slam that set the Bulls crowd buzzing.

"I've seen too many of them. Kinda boring now," team-mate Steven Adams said in jest. "He's such an amazing player."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Morant does a 360 spin lay-up for the Memphis Grizzlies against the Chicago Bulls in the NBA

Inspired by Jordan?

Memphis' All-Star put on quite a display for the Chicago crowd and might have gotten little extra lift seeing highlights of Michael Jordan on the video board.

"I did watch it," he said. "And then, I did start scoring a lot. It probably played a part in it."

Morant's superstar season is sending waves through the league, shooting Memphis up the standings and shattering franchise records – and he is doing it on a continuous basis.

The opportunity is there for him to complete a unique hat-trick against the Boston Celtics tonight if he can somehow top 52 points against their staunch defense, a game you can watch live on Sky Sports.

Regardless of whether he can manage that, there is no doubt that Morant is now maybe the most box-office star in the NBA.

The Grizzlies are eyeing a deeper plunge into the postseason after emerging from last year's inaugural Play-In Tournament and losing to the top-seeded Jazz 4-1 in the first round – and with arguably the league's most watchable player at the hub of it all, the Grizzlies may well have the ability to surprise everyone.

Other top Morant plays this season:

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Morant put the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest to shame with this incredible in-game reverse slam dunk off the alley-oop assist from Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Morant with the behind-the-back assist to Ziaire Williams who throws down a thunderous dunk against thePhiladelphia 76ers

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Morant sends the crowd wild with this huge slam over Robin Lopez against the Orlando Magic!

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Morant won Play of the Day for this insane driving run and set-up against the San Antonio Spurs

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Morant's massive alley-oop slam here in the first week of the new season saw him already have a contender for dunk of the year!

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Morant produced this two-handed block for the Memphis Grizzlies against the Los Angeles Lakers
Update

Around Sky