Ja Morant 3-point game explodes as Grizzlies top Warriors

Ja Morant turned a routine regular-season matchup into a showcase of his expanding perimeter game, and the Memphis Grizzlies used the extra spacing to top the Golden State Warriors. The win underscored how Morant’s recent commitment to volume three-point shooting is reshaping both his scoring profile and the team’s offensive identity.

Morant’s shooting volume rises

Early in the 2024-25 season Morant averaged fewer than three three-point attempts per game. Over the past five outings that number has climbed above six, with a hit rate near 40 percent. The change reflects deliberate offseason work on footwork and release speed rather than a coaching mandate.

Coaches note that the added attempts come without sacrificing drives to the rim. Defenses must now account for both threats, which opens driving lanes that were previously clogged. The balance keeps Memphis unpredictable on nights when interior scoring stalls.

League-wide, point guards who combine rim pressure with credible three-point volume create matchup problems that rarely appear in box-score summaries. Morant’s recent stretch offers a live example of that dynamic at work.

Warriors’ perimeter defense tested

Golden State entered the game allowing the eighth-fewest three-pointers per contest. Memphis exploited switches that left smaller defenders on Morant, forcing rotations that left corner shooters momentarily uncovered. The result was cleaner catch-and-shoot looks for role players who usually see contested attempts.

The Warriors’ switching scheme relies on length and timing. Against a quicker guard who pulls the trigger early in the possession, those rotations arrive late. Film sessions later will likely focus on communication breakdowns that produced the extra space.

Even when the Warriors recovered, Morant’s second and third dribble pull-ups from 26 feet kept defenders honest. The combination of pace and range limited help-side rotations that usually funnel drivers into double teams.

Grizzlies’ spacing improves

Memphis has long built its offense around interior scoring and transition buckets. Adding consistent perimeter threat changes how opponents load the paint on help defense. Floor spacing also reduces the physical toll on Morant, who previously absorbed contact on nearly every drive.

Role players benefit directly. Catch-and-shoot specialists receive passes with feet set instead of contested shots after a closeout. That synergy elevates the entire unit without requiring schematic overhaul.

Coaching staff credit the improvement to extra side sessions rather than any single tactical tweak. The early returns suggest the investment is paying off at both ends of the floor.

Game flow and turning points

Memphis built an early double-digit lead behind Morant’s first-quarter triples. Golden State answered with a Curry-driven run, but the Grizzlies maintained composure by continuing to hunt perimeter looks instead of settling for mid-range fallaways.

Halftime adjustments centered on denying dribble hand-offs that usually free Curry. The change forced the Warriors into more pull-up twos, a lower-efficiency shot that Memphis was willing to concede in exchange for protecting the arc.

The fourth quarter stayed close until Memphis went to a small-ball lineup featuring three capable shooters. The spacing forced Golden State’s bigs to stay attached, opening driving lanes that Morant exploited for fouls and easy finishes.

Season-long context

The Grizzlies sit near the top of the Western Conference despite injuries to key front-court players. Morant’s increased three-point volume has kept the offense afloat during stretches when interior scoring dips. The development also provides insurance if opponents load the paint more aggressively later in the year.

League observers note that Morant’s previous postseason exits often traced to stagnant half-court offense once defenses eliminated rim attacks. Adding a credible outside shot addresses that limitation without altering his core identity as a driver.

Contract-year narratives will surface soon, but the immediate priority remains maintaining health and rhythm through a condensed schedule. Early evidence suggests the perimeter work supports both goals.

Opponent adjustments ahead

Upcoming opponents will likely drop coverage or trap earlier to test whether Morant can maintain efficiency against loaded defenses. The answer will shape how much defensive attention Memphis receives for the remainder of the season.

Coaches around the league are already dissecting film for clues on how to navigate the two-man game between Morant and stretch bigs. Early answers point to physicality on the perimeter and quicker help rotations, though execution remains difficult at game speed.

Memphis will counter by mixing off-ball screens and empty-side actions that keep defenses from loading one side of the floor. The chess match will accelerate once the calendar turns to November.

Statistical benchmarks

Morant’s current three-point attempt rate ranks among the top 15 at his position, a departure from prior seasons when he ranked near the bottom. The uptick coincides with a career-best true shooting percentage, suggesting the added volume has not come at the expense of efficiency.

Advanced models that blend shot location and defender distance show Morant’s pull-up threes this month grade above league average, another shift from previous years when those looks were net negatives. The improvement reflects both better shot selection and refined mechanics.

Team-wide, Memphis now ranks inside the top ten in three-point rate after sitting near the middle of the pack last season. The change tracks directly with Morant’s usage spike and supporting cast development.

Media and fan reaction

National coverage highlighted the performance as evidence of growth rather than a one-off heater. Local Memphis outlets focused on how the win keeps the Grizzlies in the upper half of the conference standings despite an unsettled rotation.

Social-media clips centered on Morant’s step-back triples rather than his usual rim attacks, a subtle but telling shift in highlight selection. Fans noted the change in real time, with some joking that the team now has two perimeter threats instead of one.

Front-office executives across the league will monitor whether the trend holds once opponents prepare dedicated scouting reports. Early sustainability metrics look promising, though sample size remains small.

Next steps for both teams

Memphis travels for a quick back-to-back that will test whether the perimeter emphasis travels. Golden State returns home to face a Denver squad that packs the paint and dares drivers to shoot from deep.

Both teams face questions about rotation stability. Memphis must integrate returning players without sacrificing spacing; Golden State needs to tighten perimeter communication before efficiency gaps widen further.

The answers will shape playoff positioning long before the calendar flips. For now, Morant’s ja morant 3 surge gives Memphis a new tool and a clearer path through a crowded Western Conference.

Looking ahead

Morant’s expanded range changes how opponents game-plan against Memphis and how the Grizzlies allocate possessions in tight games. If the shooting holds, the team gains a margin for error that previously did not exist. The next month of games will reveal whether the adjustment becomes a permanent feature or a temporary spike.