Ja Morant is back. That’s what most of his fans thought of after the Memphis Grizzlies star played like an All-Star again in loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The two-time All-Star is posting numbers similar to his rookie year and has been under fire this season for many reasons. First there was his gripe towards his coach and the organization. There’s also his shooting woes.
The game on Tuesday against the Sixers felt different. Morant played like he is having fun, like he is the main guy that shows up for Grizzlies time and time again in the past years.
He scored 40 points in the loss and added three assists and two steals, The more amazing part is that he shot 72.7 percent on the field, almost double of his shooting percentage all season long.
He played like he’s having fun again and fans thought the star Ja is back.
Ja with the nonchalant finish 😭 pic.twitter.com/o0aCWugBUH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 31, 2025
Ja morant to Maxey VJ PG embiid right now whewww pic.twitter.com/29Qkp4o4Hd
— KWON🌹 (@Aceboykwon) December 31, 2025
Ja Morant ties the game.
He has 34 points, 18 in the 4th quarter, he is going vintage 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FfnBBmzqjL
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) December 31, 2025
Ja Morant still looks like a superstar to me https://t.co/hYPmZdqBeS pic.twitter.com/NnnaWfox4E
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) December 31, 2025
also this was my favorite ja game all season. he looked fully himself and it was amazing to see
(LOOK AT ME BEING POSITIVE AFTER A LOSS) https://t.co/4XzqjhBpt0
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) December 31, 2025
Fans, however, have a problem with his minutes and blame it for the loss.
Ja Morant and Cedric Coward each played less total minutes than Joel Embiid and Paul George, two older players with well-documented injury histories and durability concerns.
Math just ain’t mathing on that one.
— Brandon N. (@brandon_nwokeji) December 31, 2025
It’s insane Ja Morant isn’t played more. There’s no logical argument for it.
— Joe Mullinax (@JoeMullinax) December 31, 2025
Fuck Iisalo dude is a fucking idiot of a coach, how the fuck are you gonna sit Ja Morant and Cedric Coward with 4 minutes left in a close game, they come in and comeback from down 7, No cam Spencer when down 3 in a catch and shoot situation. And fuck your Jaren and Santi Aldama
— Dixon (@Dixon131885) December 31, 2025
Ja Morant’s great night was spoiled by miscue
The way Grizzlies played in the last four minutes was regretful. So is their performance in the overtime period.
The game was tied at 136 and as expected, the 76ers put the ball in Tyrese Maxey’s hands. They targeted Morant but then VJ Edgecombe provided a screen for Maxey and Ja and Jaylen Wells appeared to have a misunderstanding as the switch was not completed.
Maxey swung the ball to his rookie and Edgecombe hit it with 1.7 seconds left.
VJ EDGECOMBE FOR THE LEAD.
SIXERS UP 3 WITH 1.7 SECONDS LEFT.
WATCH HERE: https://t.co/7vDOvWOwlb pic.twitter.com/0k1SfWvB6c
— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2025
Ball game. Sixers win 139-136. Grizzlies lost their second straight and fall to 15-18.
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