It was the full James Harden experience in the first half in Memphis, 26 points on 18 shots.
However, it was the Ja Morant show.
The Memphis rookie had 13 points, six assists, and stole the show from Harden in the first half.
Welcome to the Ja show 🤯#GrindCity x #CenterCourt pic.twitter.com/aIfC8PMa5Z
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 15, 2020
Ja's playground. @JaMorant x @brandonclarke23 #GrzNxtGen pic.twitter.com/sxFZtExX3c
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 15, 2020
WELCOME ONE.
WELCOME ALL TO THE JA MORANT X JAREN JACKSON JR SHOW. @JaMorant x @jarenjacksonjr #GrzNxtGen pic.twitter.com/thnQpxBAwX
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 15, 2020
It’s not just the highlight plays, it’s the smart plays. In the first half, if Harden switched on to him, Morant backed up, asked for a clear-out, and treated Harden like The Beard has treated so many bigs over the years.
Watch the awareness from Ja Morant here in P&R. Rockets bringing Capela up a little higher on the floor. Two on the ball, Harden rotates to take away the roll. Engages the defense, reads it and fires a skip to the corner for an open 3. pic.twitter.com/n3Iwi7OYyA
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) January 15, 2020
The Grizzlies have won five in a row (moving into the eighth seed in the West) and led this game by six at the half (Houston is without Russell Westbrook for the night). Whether Memphis wins the game or not, Morant is winning fans with every game.