Ja Morant delivers self-assured statement after successful season debut: “Phone always in my pocket ready to answer”
The Memphis Grizzlies secured a 126-124 win against the Utah Jazz in their season opener at the Delta Center, thanks to Ja Morant's heroics. After the game, the high-flying guard confidently remarked on his ability to shine in clutch moments.
During the final moments of the game, with only 44 seconds remaining, Morant executed a flashy play, splitting Utah's defenders with a dribble move and scoring at the rim against the 7-foot-1 Walker Kessler.
After the game, Morant referenced his well-known "call 12" phrase, which he made famous for coming through in clutch moments. He said (per Damichael Cole of the Commercial Appeal):
"My phone always in my pocket ready to answer. The ringer on, too."
Last season, Morant popularized the "call 12" phrase when he used it to describe a game-winning play after being asked about it.
Ja Morant delivered a great performance against the Jazz on Wednesday. The two-time NBA All-Star scored a double-double, netting 22 points, dishing out 10 assists and collecting five rebounds.
Santi Aldama and Desmond Bane stood up to the occasion, supporting Morant with 27 and 24 points, respectively.
After being down by as much as 17 points, the Jazz rallied late but fell short, losing narrowly by two points. Lauri Markkannen delivered an All-Star caliber performance at home, scoring 35 points, collecting nine rebounds and dishing out two assists.
Ja Morant celebrates 1st win with league's shortest player Yuki Kawamura
After securing the win on their opening night, Ja Morant shared on Instagram a video with his teammate Yuki Kawamura, the shortest man in the league. In the video, Kawamura is sitting on the team bus when Ja Morant calls him.
"Yuki?" Morant said.
"Yes sir! First dub!" Kawamura responded.
The Memphis Grizzlies first signed the Japanese international after his incredible showing in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Kawamura averaged 20.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists per contest in the summer games.
The 5-foot-8 point guard was initially signed to an Exhibit 10 contract, but after his promising showing in the Grizzlies preseason, Memphis signed him to a two-way contract, giving him a chance to play with the main squad for 50 regular season games.
Kawamura is a true point guard with great passing skills, good vision and a reliable 3-point shot. However, he has yet to make his regular-season debut with the Grizzlies, logging a DNP-CD in their season opener.