In a chaotic finish, the Memphis Grizzlies outscored the Minnesota Timberwolves 37-24 in the fourth quarter to come away with a 111-109 win on Tuesday night in Game 5. Memphis now has a 3-2 series lead in the first-round series.
As is usually the case in Grizzlies wins, Ja Morant led the way — scoring 30 points and did some completely ridiculous stuff.
Along with throwing down an all-timer dunk, Morant made a go-ahead three with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter.
JA MORANT 3 FOR THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/2dg7BioLQp
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 27, 2022
And then Morant showed off his remarkable athleticism on a game-winning layup with one second remaining.
JA MORANT FOR THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES WIN! WHAT A GAME! 🏀🔥 pic.twitter.com/uWQf23DwtR
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 27, 2022
Morant’s layup came after Minnesota star Anthony Edwards tied the game on a three-pointer with 3.7 seconds remaining.
ANTHONY EDWARDS 3 TO TIE IT! THIS GAME IS BONKERS! pic.twitter.com/KXCwX8canb
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 27, 2022
A clutch performance by Morant and Memphis to come back for the victory to take the series lead.
And it’s a massive opportunity blown for Minnesota, who now has to win the final two games of the series. The Timberwolves would’ve had a chance to close out the series at home in Game 6, but now they need to win just to get the series back to Memphis for a Game 7.
The hoops world has had a lot to say on the crazy Game 5. Here’s a sampling of the reaction from NBA fans on Twitter:
Ja Morant scored 18 points in the 4th quarter, the most by any Grizzlies player in the 4th quarter of a playoff game.
Morant scored Memphis' final 13 points, including the game winner with 1 second remaining. pic.twitter.com/fcONJ5lcOK
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 27, 2022
Ja Morant scored the Grizzlies' final 13 points in 4 minutes after that Pat Bev "too small".
— Ja Morwob (@WorldWideWob) April 27, 2022
Yes @JaMorant is absolutely electrifying / has carried @Memphis to big 4 th quarter comeback once again vs @Timberwolves . What a clutch superstar young talent . The Timberwolves find a way to blow leads .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 27, 2022
What a pair of ATOs and finishes at the end of regulation in Memphis-Minnesota. This series is bananas. Just complete chaos at almost all times.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) April 27, 2022
I would watch 27 games of this Memphis-Minnesota series.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) April 27, 2022
This game and this series RULES. (Memphis-Wolves)
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) April 27, 2022
every possession in this wolves-grizzlies series is the most chaotic possession you’ve ever seen
— alex (@steven_lebron) April 27, 2022
The Wolves, Grizzlies, and Pelicans should have been on national broadcasts all year instead of putting the Lakers and Knicks on 71 times.
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) April 27, 2022