Whichever team finishes No. Morant, who's still considered a young pup in the league, says a dog happens to be the animal he emulates on the court. 8 team two games in a row in order to earn the playoff spot. Stay on current site or go to US version.

"I don't think as a whole we never doubted ourselves, doubted what we can accomplish as a team," he said. In the video, Ja holds his baby girl for a sweet moment before taking the court.

Memphis (33-37) now leads the Portland Trail Blazers (32-38) by one game for the eighth seed with three seeding games remaining for the Grizzlies -- a treacherous stretch of the best that the Eastern Conference has to offer in the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. ", Not Sure How to Discuss Politics With Your Kids?

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8 team would have to win just once to keep its postseason berth. Before Friday night's game versus the Utah Jazz, the talented 20-year-old rookie was caught on camera cuddling his 3-month-old daughter before a very "special" game, as he called it in a postgame interview. 1 in the West earlier this week. Born on August 10 #15. "I'm a dog. Morant said that even when the Thunder were leading 37-19 in the first quarter, his team kept its confidence. Most Popular #5357.

He played AAU basketball in South Carolina for a season with Zion Williamson. The irony of gifting a victory, of course, is the win increases the likelihood that Kaari will have to wait a bit longer before her dad returns from Florida. 8 will have to participate in a mini play-in tournament with whichever team is No.

21 Year Old Basketball Player #3. While the Grizzlies and Blazers split their two regular-season matchups -- including a 140-135 overtime win by Portland in the seeding games -- they cannot tie for eighth. ", The win, coming after Memphis trailed the sixth-seeded Thunder by 18 points, breathed life into the Grizzlies' pursuit of the No. "Kind of tough but the thing I gave her today was a win," Morant said after putting up 19 points and 9 assists to Chris Paul's 17 and 5. Not only was it the first time his daughter, Kaari J. Morant, attended one of his games, but it was Ja's father's birthday, and he scored 25 points to secure the Memphis Grizzlies win. Morant, who's still considered a young pup in the league, says a dog happens to be the animal he emulates on the court. Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09. 8 team would have to win just once to keep its postseason berth. Morant said that even when the Thunder were leading 37-19 in the first quarter, his team kept its confidence. Please select the topics you're interested in: Would you like to turn on POPSUGAR desktop notifications to get breaking news ASAP? Watch the video above, and see the precious moment between Ja and his daughter. "You could see the energy on the bench. LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- With his team off to an 0-4 start in the NBA bubble and his daughter, Kaari Jaidyn, celebrating her first birthday hundreds of miles away, Memphis Grizzlies rookie standout Ja Morant called his parents with an admission Friday morning.

The irony of gifting a victory, of course, is the win increases the likelihood that Kaari will have to wait a bit longer before her dad returns from Florida. Ja Morant was born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina, the United States to parents Tee Morant and Jamie Morant. Not only was it the first time his daughter, Kaari J. Morant, attended one of his games, but it was Ja's father's birthday, and he scored 25 points to secure the Memphis Grizzlies win.

His father Tee Morant was a basketball player and played for the Claflin University where the mother was a point guard in high school and played softball in college. "I don't think as a whole we never doubted ourselves, doubted what we can accomplish as a team," he said. The Grizzlies put five other players in double-digit scoring beside Morant -- including Clarke, who went 6-for-6 off the bench -- and were led by Dillon Brooks' 22 points. ", Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins adjusted his starting lineup, playing Anthony Tolliver with the first unit and bringing Brandon Clarke off the bench. "I'm a dog. (0:24). I'm fine. ", Morant dedicates first win in the bubble to his daughter (0:24), Morant gifts daughter much-needed Grizzlies win, Lowe's NBA offseason preview: Giannis' future, All-Star trades and the draft, Pistons intrigued by LaMelo, moving up in draft, Rockets' new coach, GM: Goal remains NBA title, Sources: Agreement near on Dec. 22 NBA start, LeBron seeks answers in death of friend's sister, 'Fast Eddie' Johnson, ex-NBA All-Star, dies at 65, KAT talks mom's COVID battle, coping with loss, Inside the political donation history of wealthy sports owners, Warriors' new jerseys are a nod to the team's 'We Believe' era, NBA free agency and trade debate: How the Pelicans help Zion, and bold predictions. (0:24). 21 hours ago, by Karenna Meredith Associated With. 1 day ago, by Grayson Gilcrease ", Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins adjusted his starting lineup, playing Anthony Tolliver with the first unit and bringing Brandon Clarke off the bench. LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- With his team off to an 0-4 start in the NBA bubble and his daughter, Kaari Jaidyn, celebrating her first birthday hundreds of miles away, Memphis Grizzlies rookie standout Ja Morant called his parents with an admission Friday morning. Some basketball players run drills with the different coaches, others listen to pump-up music during stretches, but for Ja Morant, the promising second overall pick of the 2019 NBA draft, his recent pregame routine involved some lullabies and cuddles. Meet the beautiful Ms. Kadre Dixon! 9 in order to earn a first-round berth against the Los Angeles Lakers, who clinched No. "Kind of tough but the thing I gave her today was a win," Morant said after putting up 19 points and 9 assists to Chris Paul's 17 and 5. Ja Morant was upset about missing his daughter's first birthday, so he dedicated the Grizzlies' first win to her. "I'm good," Morant said. 8 spot in the Western Conference playoff picture -- and lifted Morant's spirits. The Grizzlies put five other players in double-digit scoring beside Morant -- including Clarke, who went 6-for-6 off the bench -- and were led by Dillon Brooks' 22 points.

The No. By signing up, I agree to the Terms & to receive emails from POPSUGAR. 8 team two games in a row in order to earn the playoff spot. 1 day ago, by Brea Cubit Portland's remaining schedule features the LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets. After taking a hard foul on his hip from the Thunder's Darius Bazley late in the first half, the presumptive Rookie of the Year winner stayed in the game to shoot his free throws and then closed things out after halftime. 1 day ago, by Maggie Ryan She is the lovely girlfriend of Ja Morant; her stud is the 6’3” point guard from Crestwood, South Carolina selected in the first round (2nd overall) in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Morant dedicates first win in the bubble to his daughter (0:24) Ja Morant was upset about missing his daughter's first birthday, so he dedicated the Grizzlies' first win to her. ", Morant dedicates first win in the bubble to his daughter (0:24), Morant gifts daughter much-needed Grizzlies win, Lowe's NBA offseason preview: Giannis' future, All-Star trades and the draft, Pistons intrigued by LaMelo, moving up in draft, Rockets' new coach, GM: Goal remains NBA title, Sources: Agreement near on Dec. 22 NBA start, LeBron seeks answers in death of friend's sister, 'Fast Eddie' Johnson, ex-NBA All-Star, dies at 65, KAT talks mom's COVID battle, coping with loss, Inside the political donation history of wealthy sports owners, Warriors' new jerseys are a nod to the team's 'We Believe' era, NBA free agency and trade debate: How the Pelicans help Zion, and bold predictions. "It was great, the energy on the floor," Jenkins said. The players left the court at VISA Athletic Center barking like dogs, soaking in their first win since the NBA restart. Ja and his girlfriend, KK Dixon, welcomed their beautiful daughter in August, two months earlier than expected, and after spending some time in the NICU, she was finally able to attend one of her daddy's games. Portland will end up playing 74 games and Memphis will finish with 73 as a result of the timing of the NBA hiatus and where each team was in its schedule at that point. You have reached ESPN's Australian edition.

9 team would have to beat the No. NBA campus intel: Are the Sixers still contenders in the East? 1 day ago. The No. Kadre Dixon.

You have come to the ESPN Africa edition, for other ESPN editions, click above. "[I] told them it was probably one of the toughest days of my life. pic.twitter.com/8SMVQ6YZIw. Great, Click the ‘Allow’ Button Above The players left the court at VISA Athletic Center barking like dogs, soaking in their first win since the NBA restart. Naturally happens when you're winning but we just got to harness that again.". "I wasn't in a good mood at all," Morant said following a 121-92 comeback win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. Our Family newsletter is a little parenting cheat sheet, delivered to your inbox daily. "[I] told them it was probably one of the toughest days of my life. 1 day ago, by Monica Sisavat

The No. "It was great, the energy on the floor," Jenkins said. Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09. 8 will have to participate in a mini play-in tournament with whichever team is No. "You could see the energy on the bench. I'm fine.

Born in South Carolina #23. @memgrizz rook Ja Morant sharing a moment with his daughter pregame. "So hopefully she's thankful for that and all the gifts she's got back at the house.".