Grizzlies' Ja Morant outduels Warriors' Stephen Curry while showcasing All-NBA potential, leadership growth

Morant leads the NBA in scoring, and is making his voice heard on and off the court

SAN FRANCISCO -- Ja Morant recently said he was annoyed that he didn't make the All-Star team in either of his first two NBA seasons. If he keep this up, an All-Star appearance might be the least of his accolades.

The uber-athletic 22-year-old Memphis Grizzlies point guard has been one of the most unstoppable players in the league to start the 2021-22 season, leading the NBA with 30.4 points per game to go along with 7.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds while ushering the Grizzlies to a 3-2 start. On Thursday night, Morant showcased his uncanny ability and unlimited potential in a 30-point, seven-rebound, five assist performance to hand Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors a 104-101 overtime loss, their first of the season.

It was more than his stats, however, that made his game so impressive. Morant made numerous big plays, first to get his team back into the game after falling into a 37-20 first-quarter hole, then to win it at the end. He scored 21 of his 30 points and picked up three of his four steals after halftime, and made an absurd spin move that led to a crucial bucket with less than a minute left in overtime.