Ja Morant extends important Memphis streak on an emotionally revered day
Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day is a huge day for the NBA.
But even more so for the Memphis Grizzlies.
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The Grizzlies have been playing on MLK Day every year since 2003Credit: GettyThe FedEx Forum, home of the Grizzlies, is less than a mile away from The National Civil Rights Museum (built around the Lorraine Motel), which is the site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
The city’s ties to Dr. King are deep, which is why the NBA shines its’ spotlight on the Grizzlies every year on this special day.
The Grizzlies beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-106, extending their winning streak to five on MLK Day.
Their last loss on the holiday came in January of 2020 right before the NBA shutdown.
READ MORE NBAJa Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. led the way for Memphis as they out-dueled Anthony Edwards.
Morant finished with 19 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds, while Jackson Jr. finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds, to go with 2 blocks.
Of Jackson Jr.’s 24 points, 15 came in the fourth, as the Grizzlies rallied for a comeback win.
Edwards had a chance to win the game with a three as time expired, but was off, and the Grizzlies held on.
Playing on MLK Day is a symbol of pride for the Memphis community, a responsibility that Jackson Jr. doesn’t take lightly.
The former Defensive Player of The Year has been a strong advocate for the Memphis community, recently donating $50,000 to the National Civil Rights Museum’s Youth Education Fund.
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It was an entertaining battle between Edwards and Morant that saw the game come down to the last shotCredit: GettyHe reflected on what he’s taken most from King’s legacy.
“It made me care for other people, have empathy and understand that it’s bigger than me,” Jackson told Damichael Cole of Memphis Commercial Appeal.
“I was always going to care for people regardless. But specifically, my people.
“He wasn’t lashing out when he was getting death threats.
“He was still understanding that he has to lead a bunch of people. He can’t just wild out.”
On Monday, it was Jackson Jr. who proved to be the catalyst to push the Grizzlies to victory.
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Memphis improved to 28-15, good for third in the West.
Meanwhile, Minnesota fell to 22-21, good for tenth.
