MORANT RESCUES GRITTY GRIZZLIES

Guard overcomes slow start against Minnesota, making crucial shots in Memphis win

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Memphis star Ja Morant was "built for those moments" when he scored the game winner with 18.6 seconds left on Jan 11, lifting the Memphis Grizzlies to a 127-125 road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in a tension-packed National Basketball Association (NBA) clash.

The point guard, who was playing only his second game back from a shoulder injury, scored a modest 12 points and missed all four of his three-point attempts.

But the 25-year-old came through when it mattered, driving for a lay-up that made it 125-125 with 54.1 seconds remaining and then, after a Memphis steal, sinking a floater over Minnesota stars Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards.

"We know he was built for those moments," said Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins after Morant completed the Grizzlies' fightback from six points down with less than five minutes to play.

"It was a struggle in the beginning of the game for him but I thought he was getting great looks.

"His attack on offense was great, he's created so much for us. His game defensively also improved throughout the game...