Ja Morant checked his phone after Friday’s win over New Orleans. There was a text from one of his former AAU teammates, proud of a defensive play the Memphis Grizzlies star guard made against Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray.
Morant saw Murray dribble up the floor and decided to pick him up with full-court pressure. With Murray dribbling to his right, Morant decided to use the sideline as an extra defender.
Knowing that Murray would have to dribble back to the left, Morant anticipated the move when Murray did a behind-the-back pass. Before Murray could regather the ball, Morant took it out of his hands and went the other way for a dunk and foul.
Since last season, Morant has vowed to be a better defender. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins challenged Morant to do so this season, and plays like the steal against Murray helped the Grizzlies (13-7) win their fifth straight game in a 120-109 victory against New Orleans (4-16) at FedExForum.
“Obviously everybody knows what I can do offensively with my athleticism and what not,” Morant said. “I feel like it can translate on the defensive end as well.”
Murray scored or assisted on the first two Pelicans baskets. He had 10 points in the first quarter. Morant took on the challenge and helped limit the Pelicans guard to 21 points on 6-for-17 shooting.
“You can’t pick on him,” Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart said. “When you got a guy with his offensive skill being able to bring that same skill on the defensive end and that intensity, it spooks other teams. … We love it.”
“I think this is the best that I’ve seen him in his six seasons,” Jenkins said. “Where it’s every single night for the most part. He’s given great effort in one-on-one defense.”
Grizzlies depth shines again vs Pelicans
Morant knows the Grizzlies need him to be a better defender to take the next step. That’s one example of how the Grizzlies are using a selfless approach.
Memphis entered Friday as one of two NBA teams averaging more than 40 bench points per game. Santi Aldama scored 20 of the Grizzlies’ 46 bench points against New Orleans.
Memphis finished with a 46-14 advantage in bench points.
“We’re hard to guard,” center Jay Huff said. “Even if we have injuries like we’ve had, it makes it easy to just plug the next guy in and we’re off to the races again.”
Concerned about Desmond Bane?
With a 11-man rotation and different big performances on most nights, there aren’t as many shots to go around. While Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. continue to put up big numbers, the Grizzlies’ third star is finding his way.
Desmond Bane finished Friday with seven points on 3-for-8 shooting. He’s now scored in single digits in each of the last three games.
Bane said his oblique strain that kept him out for seven games is not impacting his performance.
The production dropoff is easier to digest because Memphis is winning. Memphis is 6-2 since Bane returned from his injury.
And not only that — his teammates are benefiting.
“I think it’s just the new offense,” Bane said. “It’s spread around. You look at the stat sheet, it’s different guys each and every night. So there’s no need for me to really go and force the issue.”
“I ain’t pressed about it at all,” he added.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
