In a nail-biter against the Brooklyn Nets, the Memphis Grizzlies may have fallen just short with a 104-106 loss, but Ja Morant undeniably stole the spotlight, reminding everyone why he’s one of the most electric players in the league. After battling through injuries and suspensions, Morant has bounced back with his signature flair, averaging an impressive 20.7 points and 9.7 assists per game in limited minutes. But it’s not just the stats that have fans and NBA legends buzzing – it’s his jaw-dropping 360-degree layups that left viewers, both courtside and online, absolutely stunned.
Morant has built his brand on flashy, high-flying antics, from no-look passes to chase-down blocks, but these acrobatic spins took it up a notch. Twice in the game, Morant took to the air, twisting into a full 360-degree spin before seamlessly finishing with a layup, leaving Nets defenders helplessly watching as he glided past. As clips of the moves circulated on social media, the basketball world, including some of its biggest names, couldn’t help but react.
NBA legend Magic Johnson himself couldn’t resist chiming in. Sharing the video on X, he posted, “Wow – I’ve never seen anyone make two 360 layups like that in the same game! 🔥” A bold statement from an icon known for making showtime magic routine. When Magic Johnson says he’s witnessing a first, you know it’s a monumental moment.
With Johnson’s nod of approval out there, Morant’s rivals may have some added motivation. As Shaquille O’Neal once famously put it, “I use jealousy to motivate me.” Morant’s highlight reel just might inspire others across the league to step up their game in pursuit of their own viral moments.
And Magic wasn’t the only star to give props. Kevin Durant, watching from afar, added his own words of praise. “The most athletic person I’ve seen. I don’t want to give him that because he’s young and there’s been a lot of great athletes in the history of sports. But come on now, to pull that off, that smooth, that easy, it’s ridiculous. He’s a top-level athlete,” Durant said on the Up & Adams show.
It’s a performance that goes beyond the score – one that reminds everyone why Morant is a must-watch, night after night. With the season heating up, it’s clear that Morant isn’t just back; he’s ready to keep pushing the limits of what fans thought was possible.
