There's Return of the King, Return of the Jedi, and even Return of the Mack. Yet, on Tuesday night anyway, all of those returns paled in comparison to a massive NBA return which made headlines all over. Today's edition of The Morning Dunk has got you covered with all of the highlights.
Morant Beats Buzzer In Return From Suspension
*sings Ja Morant's name to tune of "Barbara Ann" by The Beach Boys*
In his first game back following a 25-game suspension, Ja Morant reminded basketball fans everywhere why he's one of the league's elite. The two-time All-Star drove to the basket for a contested layup right as time expired to lift the Memphis Grizzlies past the New Orleans Pelicans with a 115-113 victory.
JA MORANT GAME WINNER IN HIS RETURN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WV9cDWxvWc
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 20, 2023
Morant lit up New Orleans for 34 points on 12-of-24 attempts, eight assists, six rebounds, and a pair of steals in 35 minutes. It's the most points ever scored by a player in their return following a 25-game absence.
The Grizzlies trailed by as many as 24 points, and entered the matchup as 8.5-point underdogs.
Chef Curry Puts celtics To Sleep
Just days after failing to hit a 3-pointer for the first time in 268 games, Stephen Curry reignited his shot and used it to bury the Boston Celtics.
Curry scored 20 of his 33 total points in the fourth quarter and overtime alone, including a dagger with just over 10 seconds remaining in the extra period to put the Golden State Warriors up by four in an eventual 132-126 victory.
STEPHEN CURRY.
— NBA (@NBA) December 20, 2023
PANDEMONIUM AT CHASE CENTER.
The Warriors win an overtime THRILLER! pic.twitter.com/4a62M1Qnhc
The former NBA Most Valuable Player converted 6-of-11 from behind the arc after going 0-of-8 against the Portland Trail Blazers the prior game. He currently has the 11th-best odds for yet another MVP on his mantle at +5000.
Dame Time Drops 40, Reaches 20K
The San Antonio Spurs didn't have Victor Wembanyama, and going head-to-head with Damian Lillard, they also didn't have a chance.
Lillard scorched the visiting Spurs to the tune of 40 points, including seven 3-pointers on 12 attempts, as the Milwaukee Bucks took care of business with a 132-119 win.
The 33-year-old guard also scored the 20,000th point of his legendary career, becoming the 55th player in NBA/ABA history to reach that mark.
20,000 career points for Damian Lillard! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/W0XeKscgd9
— NBA (@NBA) December 20, 2023
Milwaukee was 16.5-point favorites against the now 4-22 SU Spurs.
