Memphis Grizzlies Ja Morant and Brooklyn Nets Kyrie Irving duel it out, Jae Crowder knocks down game-winner

Kyle Irving

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Memphis Grizzlies Ja Morant and Brooklyn Nets Kyrie Irving duel it out, Jae Crowder knocks down game-winner image

It was a coming-of-age game as the No. 2 overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft Ja Morant was matched up with All-Star guard Kyrie Irving.

Morant was in need of a bounce-back game after being out-played by the No. 6 overall pick in his draft class, Coby White, in the Grizzlies' home opener.

To say that Morant bounced back in this one would be an understatement – the rookie guard put together his best performance of his young career, going toe-to-toe with one of the best guards in the NBA today.

Irving has gotten off to an incredibly hot start this season. After dropping 50 points in a loss his first game as a member of the Brooklyn Nets, Irving responded by hitting a game-winning shot in the Battle of the Boroughs against their rival New York Knicks.

In looking to take the Nets to over .500 for the first time this season, Irving stepped up in a big way in Memphis to try and lead his team to victory, but Morant assured he wouldn't let the Grizzlies drop their second home game in a row.

Morant scored 17 of his team-high 30 points in the fourth quarter, including a tough drive to the lane to tie the game with under 10 seconds to go.

It's nearly impossible to stop Irving in a one-on-one situation with the game on the line – just ask rookie R.J.Barrett – but it's even harder when he has the hot hand like he had in this one. Irving was already at a game-high 33 points when he had the ball in his hands and a chance to win the game, but the 19-year-old Morant wasn't phased as he came up with a huge block on the ensuing possession to force overtime.


In overtime, the Nets held a two-point lead with under 10 seconds to go. The Grizzlies put the ball in the hands of their young playmaker and he delivered, finding forward Jae Crowder wide open at the top of the key for a game-winning 3-pointer.

Morant finished with 30 points, nine assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block shooting 13-for-22 (59.1%) from the field and 1-for-2 from 3-point land. Irving finished with 37 points, seven assists, seven rebounds, two steals and a block shooting 11-for-27 (40.7%) from the field and 5-for-12 (41.7%) from 3-point range.


 

 

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.