New York, Nov. 28 (U.S.): After Ja Morant’s threesome at Madison Square Garden Sunday night, his dad asked for his shirt.
One problem: The Grizzlies star planned to give it to Knicks veteran Derrick Rose, according to the Associated Press.
“Honestly, it was crazy, because it was the first time he’d asked for my jersey after a game,” Morant said after he finished with 27 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds as Memphis edged New York 127-123.
“It was kind of awkward,” Morant said. “I had already planned to give it to D-Rose. At first I told him I had already given it, man. He was like, Uh-huh.”
Morant has led Memphis to three wins and one loss at the Knicks since entering the league in 2019, averaging 23.5 points and 9.8 assists. He had his fifth career triple-double on Sunday.
“But just the bright lights, having a triple-double in the park is crazy. Growing up watching teams come here and play, watching Knicks games, everybody loves the park,” Morant said. “We really call it the bright lights. Everybody’s watching.”
Dillon Brooks scored 23 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 21 for the Grizzlies, who lost a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter but recovered for their second straight victory.
Morant scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, hitting the go-ahead shot at the basket after he bounced off his stride with 13.9 seconds left.
“Amazing, he did it all,” said Brooks. “He didn’t force any shots. He was trying to get us involved. And then when it’s time to take over, he takes over.”
Jalen Bronson scored 30 points and RJ Barrett added 22 for the Knicks, who lost two straight points and four of their last five.
New York lost to Memphis in both teams’ season opener on October 19, recovering from a 17-point deficit before falling short.
Bronson led New York’s comeback again this time with 17 points in the fourth quarter before dropping on two shots, missing one that would have put the Knicks ahead and one that would have tied the game.
His free throws gave the Knicks a 123-122 lead with 26 seconds left after Brooks was fouled after trying to pass the ball away.
On the ensuing possession, Morant again drove to the lane and was met by two Knicks defenders, whose turnover attempt was blocked by Mitchell Robinson. But the ball went straight back to Morant, who put it in to put Memphis back on top with one out.
“It fell to the end. Mitch made a save, and Morant hit the ball and put it back in,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “That’s the difference between winning and losing there.”
Bronson fouled a jumper and Morant fouled and hit one of his two free throws to increase the lead to 125-123 with 7.1 seconds left. Bronson was short on a runner that would tie him up.
“They hit a lot in my career and I ran to them,” Bronson said. “Plain and simple, I hurried.”
Jackson picked up Bronson’s rebounding error. Then it was fouled by Bronson Jackson, who took two free throws to close it out.
A Jackson 3-pointer as time expired gave the Grizzlies a 54-51 halftime lead.
Tip-ins
Grizzlies: Memphis assisted on each of their 11 shots in the first quarter and finished with 32 points. Stephen Adams scored 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Knicks: G Immanuel Quickley was suspended from the second half with a sore right knee. Cam Reddish scored 11 points in 23 minutes off the bench. Julius Randle scored 14 points and 10 rebounds. Robinson scored 16 points and blocked five shots.
next one
Grizzlies: Visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
Knicks: Visit the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.