Memphis Grizzlies Collapse After Ja Morant Injury, Disappoint Fans in Loss to SGA, Thunder
The Memphis Grizzlies’ hopes of a pivotal win in Game 3 were dashed on Thursday as a Ja Morant injury and a late collapse led to a 114-108 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to a report by Bleacher Report. The Thunder now lead the series 3-0.
At the start of the third quarter, the Grizzlies were in control, leading 77-51. However, disaster struck late in the second quarter when Morant took a hard fall on a dunk attempt and was forced to leave the game. The star point guard did not return, and his absence was keenly felt as the Grizzlies’ lead quickly vanished. As Bleacher Report notes, "Memphis was in control, up 77-51 at the start of the third, but Morant was sidelined late in the second quarter after taking a hard fall on a dunk attempt and never returned."
The Thunder, led by SGA, staged an impressive comeback, cutting the lead to single digits late in the third quarter and eventually taking the lead heading into the final minute of the fourth quarter. A series of clutch plays sealed the win for Oklahoma City, leaving the Grizzlies to pick up the pieces. Bleacher Report reports that "with their star off the court, the Grizzlies’ lead quickly vanished. Oklahoma City cut the lead to single digits late in the third and eventually took the lead heading into the final minute of the fourth quarter."
Despite a tremendous performance from Scottie Pippen Jr., who scored 28 points, the Grizzlies were unable to secure a win. Fans were left lamenting the loss and Morant’s injury, which appeared to be a significant factor in the team’s collapse. As Bleacher Report observes, "for a moment, it looked like the Grizzlies were going to make it an interesting series, but the team fans saw in the first half was nowhere to be found without Morant."
The Grizzlies now face a seemingly insurmountable deficit to overcome in order to make it out of the first round. With Morant’s injury and the team’s poor performance in the second half, it remains to be seen whether they can mount a successful comeback. Bleacher Report notes that "now, Memphis has a seemingly insurmountable deficit to overcome to make it out of the first round."
According to Bleacher Report, the Grizzlies’ fans were left disappointed by the team’s performance, particularly given the promising start they made to the game. The report states that "fans lamented the loss and Morant’s injury," highlighting the significant impact the star point guard has on the team.
In related news, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s SGA has been impressive throughout the series, leading his team to a commanding 3-0 lead. The Thunder’s chances of advancing to the next round now look increasingly likely, while the Grizzlies face an uphill battle to stay alive in the playoffs.
The Memphis Grizzlies’ loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder has significant implications for the team’s playoff hopes. As Bleacher Report reports, the Grizzlies’ collapse in the second half was a major factor in their defeat, with Morant’s injury proving to be a decisive blow. The team’s fans will be hoping for a better performance in the next game, but it remains to be seen whether they can overcome their current deficit.
This article is based on a report by Bleacher Report, which provides in-depth coverage of the Memphis Grizzlies’ loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The original article can be found at https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25190186-grizzlies-collapse-after-ja-morant-injury-disappoint-fans-loss-sga-thunder.
