It was a thrilling moment for Ja Morant, who nailed a game-winning jumper at the buzzer, helping the Memphis Grizzlies triumph over the Miami Heat, as he celebrated the silence he had orchestrated on the court.

He relishes his role as the villain, stating:

“I feel like I’ve been the villain for the last two years now, not even just to this crowd.”

His prowess shone through as Morant scored 30 points in total, putting an end to a four-game losing streak for his team. However, his off-court controversies continue to resurface.

In 2023, he faced two suspensions from the NBA for displaying firearms in social media posts, leading to significant scrutiny. This past week, he faced backlash over a finger gesture directed at the Golden State Warriors’ bench during a game, while mimicking a shooting action post a successful three-pointer that again stirred headlines.

“I’m well aware,” Morant acknowledged, confirming that the criticism doesn’t affect him.

“I’m kind of used to it,” he remarked. “I was pretty much a villain for two years now. Every little thing, if somebody can say something negative about me, it’s going to be out there. So, yeah. I don’t care no more.”

Despite a rough start with just three points in the first half (1-for-7 shooting), Morant dominated the second half with 27 points. His performance helped elevate the Grizzlies to the sixth seed in the Western Conference play-off rankings.

Jaren Jackson Jr., a teammate, commented on Morant’s ability to thrive in challenging situations, expressing confidence in Morant’s gameplay and the impact he has on the team.