Allen Iverson, rest of sports world reacts to Ja Morant's record-setting performance

Damichael Cole, Memphis Commercial Appeal

March 1, 2022 at 9:57 AM·3 min read

The last time the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs played, the game was removed off national TV. This matchup wasn't viewed as a must-see game, but Ja Morant is changing that.

Every Grizzlies game is becoming must-see TV with no restroom or cooking breaks allowed. Bend down to tie your shoes and you may miss the play of the season.

Morant's 52-point performance filled with enough highlight plays to go on some players' season mixtape propelled the Grizzlies to a 118-105 win.

The scene inside the FedExForum was chaotic. MVP chants, standing ovations and teammates mobbing Morant at the end of each half.

Outside of the arena, Morant was the No. 1 trending topic on Twitter in the United States. Mind you, this was on a Monday night, when WWE's Raw and The Bachelor always get big audiences.

Allen Iverson, Grizzlies teammates, media members and celebrities were among those who chimed in on Morant's special night.

Iverson is a player who Morant draws inspiration from. The former MVP tweeted a picture of his MVP trophy with a Morant jersey wrapped around it and the words "sooner or later" in his tweet.

Morant responded by tweeting a photoshopped basketball picture of himself with Iverson in a 76ers jersey and the caption, "pass the torch OG."

Sooner or Later!!! @JaMorant pic.twitter.com/KshIUz01B6
— Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) March 1, 2022

NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT: NBA adds Memphis Grizzlies national TV game against Boston Celtics on TNT

JA MORANT IN CHICAGO: The Chicago Bulls played a Michael Jordan video, then Ja Morant scored 46 points

GIANNOTTO: Ja Morant's historic 52-point game was 'everything' Memphis Grizzlies could ever want | Giannotto

Several NFL players and other NBA stars also joined in. Most notably, former University of Memphis standout and currently Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson.

"Gotta come see this man (Ja Morant) play in person… Walking highlight reel in Memphis." Gibson's tweet read.

Gotta come see this man @JaMorant play in person… Walking highlight reel in Memphis 〽️🎥
— Antonio Gibson 👑💯 (@AntonioGibson14) March 1, 2022

Trae Young, Joe Haden, Allen Robinson and Trey Lance were among the others who chimed in. None of those players have longstanding notable connections to Memphis. That goes to show the phenomenon that Morant is becoming, and his national relevance.

JA going stupid right now🔥
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) March 1, 2022

He Goes Crazy off the casa Migos!!!!!!!!@JaMorant 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/1XtJTVe3MA
— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) March 1, 2022

🥴🥴🥴 https://t.co/51Gz3ycSne
— Allen Robinson II (@AllenRobinson) March 1, 2022

Just admit that you a superhero bro we already know ! @JaMorant https://t.co/uIVNfOBIIb
— Trey Lance (@treylance09) March 1, 2022

Here's more reaction from media, coaches and teammates after Morant's night.

Gregg Popovich on Ja Morant tonight: “I just wish I had a camera so I could get a few pictures. It was pretty special. He was special.”
— Mark Giannotto (@mgiannotto) March 1, 2022

We are so lucky to have Ja Morant
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) March 1, 2022

Your daily reminder that @JaMorant is that dude.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) March 1, 2022

12 different 🥷🏽
— Tyus Jones (@1Tyus) March 1, 2022

12 has a lot of nyc in his game. a mix of kareem reid , rod strickland , and vintage d rose. when hes knocking 35 footers down its grand opening grand closing!!
— SLOWMO (@KyleAnderson5) March 1, 2022

Different! https://t.co/TtA2DBtkWp
— Desmond Bane (@DBane0625) March 1, 2022

Contact Damichael Cole at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter @damichaelc

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Allen Iverson tweets Ja Morant after Memphis Grizzlies 50-point game

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