Ja Morant responds to NBA's shortest player Yuki Kawamura's praise for jaw-dropping dunk over Victor Wembanyama
Following the Memphis Grizzlies' win against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, Grizzlies guard Yuki Kawamura praised his teammate, Ja Morant, for his jaw-dropping sunk over Victor Wembanyama.
Kawamura, who at 5-foot-8 tall is the shortest player in the league, took to Instagram to share a highlight video of the moment, listing Morant's name in the caption.
"This is Temetrius Jamel Morant," Kawamura captioned his IG story.
Ja Morant reposted Yuki Kawamura's IG story and highlighted that Kawamura hasn't stopped addressing him by his full name since he learned it.
"Yuki learned my full name & ain't stopped calling me dat 😂😂, but you right ganger. MUST SEE is ME," Morant replied.
While Yuki Kawamura is the shortest in the league, Victor Wembanyama is the tallest. Ja Morant's dunk over the 7-foot-2 center came late in the final quarter of Wednesday's matchup.
However, the dunk didn't count, as it came after a whistle was blown for Stephon Castle's foul on Morant as he made his way through.
The game concluded with the Memphis Grizzlies clinching their 26th win of the season with a 129-115 road victory. Ja Morant led the Grizzlies' victory charge with a double-double performance of 21 points, 12 assists, four rebounds, and two steals, while Yuki Kawamura didn't play the game.
Ja Morant opens up on special relationship with Yuki Kawamura
Yuki Kawamura is a new addition to the Memphis Grizzlies this season and has quickly become a fan-favorite. He has also seemingly developed a special relationship with star player Ja Morant and the rest of the team as well.
During an interview with DaMichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Morant opened up about his special relationship with the Japanese point guard.
“A lot of stuff he learns and he just say and it don’t be at the right moment,” Morant said, laughing. “But aye man, it’s Yuki. It’s his world, and we’re just living in it.
“He just brings a light and joy to the team,” Morant said. “Just making sure he’s as comfortable as possible. Just making sure that he’s being him, and he ain’t shying away from it at all.”
Following Wednesday's win over the San Antonio Spurs, the Memphis Grizzlies climbed to a 26-15 record and are third in the Western Conference. They face the Spurs again on Friday for the second of back-to-back matchups.