NBA playoffs: Grizzlies star Ja Morant starts Game 3, scores 45 in loss to Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies series just got a lot more interesting.
Grizzlies star Ja Morant started Game 3 after missing Game 2 with a hand injury. He scored 45 points and helmed a late comeback attempt in the Grizzlies' 111-101 loss Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Lakers have 2-1 series advantage with Game 4 on Monday (10 p.m. ET, TNT).
Morant scored 22 straight points in the fourth quarter, briefly sparking a Grizzlies rally attempt.
"Hotter than fish grease!"
Ja had 22 straight points for the Grizzlies 🤯pic.twitter.com/HA1p7CaWkJ— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) April 23, 2023
Morant sustained the injury in the fourth quarter of Game 1, falling hard after a drive and landing on his right hand. He left the game and did not return in a 128-112 loss for Memphis.
The Grizzlies managed to grind out a win in Game 2 with Tyus Jones starting in Morant's place, thanks to a strong defensive effort, but Morant's status for the rest of the series was still a major storyline in a relatively even first-round series.
