It was a magnificent day for Memphis basketball. Right up until Houston hit the winning shot. On a day when Tiger basketball conjured that magical feeling once again. 

It’s easy to be skeptical about Ja Morant’s statement of apology. But it represents an important first. He never before has accepted responsibility for his actions. Now maybe there’s a shot he will change. 

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Nike produced a Ja Morant shoe because he is “a real leader” for “the NBA, for basketball and for the city of Memphis.” Morant’s latest Instagram live video makes a mockery of those words. It is time for Morant to put down the gun and put down the tough-guy act. Here’s hoping he realizes that, at long last. 

The best thing about Sunday’s epic matchup between the Memphis Tigers and No. 1 Houston? It was earned. 

The Lakers came to town Tuesday and greatness followed. No, not from LeBron James. He missed the game with a bum foot. But he had a splendid seat to watch Ja Morant score 28 points in the third quarter to lead the Grizzlies to victory.

Penny Hardaway texted Kendric Davis prior to Sunday’s game. After the win over Cincinnati, Davis and the Tigers are one step closer to the subject of that text.

The Memphis Tigers are battered, weary — and now they’re missing a key player who broke his hand punching a door. So how do they keep winning games? By any means necessary. On a Memphis team that richly deserves a trip to the NCAAs. 

The Memphis Tigers put up a gallant fight in losing to the Houston Cougars Sunday. The good news? The Cougars should be No. 1 in the country when they come to FedExForum for the rematch on March 5. And a healthy Kendric Davis should be waiting for them.

The Memphis Tigers lost Kendric Davis to injury, lost 24 turnovers and somehow still managed to beat Central Florida Thursday night. It may not have been the most important win in Memphis history. But it was unlike any that have come before. 

The Grizzlies headed off into the All-Star break with a win over the Utah Jazz. It was a fitting way to wrap up the best, most promising start to a season in franchise history. The future has never looked better, on and off the court. 

DeAndre Williams is determined to lead the Tigers through this critical stretch because making the NCAA Tournament never gets old.

Who won the trade deadline? OK, not the Grizzlies. And Ja Morant became the punchline of a viral tweet. But do not be too discouraged, my fellow Memphians. The Grizz will be fine (in the West).

Ja Morant dug in, Dillon Brooks got booed and the Grizzlies fell behind yet again. Which is when head coach Taylor Jenkins urged his team to “embrace the adversity.” It turned out to be winning advice.

Memphis fans thronged to FedExForum to celebrate Lorenzen Wright, Larry Finch and the Memphis Tigers. Then the game happened. For reasons that are becoming all too familiar, it did not go well. 

Yes, we made it through the weekend peacefully. But now what? The Grizzlies got a win Sunday, and that’s great. Then they shared that they’re struggling with grief and anger, just like the rest of us.

Has Penny Hardaway met the lofty expectations he set for himself? No. Can he ever accomplish what he set out to accomplish? Probably not, but is he the man to coach Memphis basketball? Absolutely, he is.

DeAngelo Williams became the first Memphis football player elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. He’s the best Tiger player in the history of the school. But looking back, you know the stat that really stands out? He stayed at Memphis for four spectacular years. 

Where were you when Mike Conley nearly beat the Golden State Warriors with a broken face? When Chris Douglas-Roberts threw down that dunk on Kevin Love? The best moments of sports connect us to the places and people we love, as the Buffalo Bills reminded us this week.

Memphis was careening toward a bad loss against East Carolina Saturday. What happened? Alex Lomax happened. He stole the ball and saved the day. 

They say that college football is a religion in the South. Does that mean that ministers are its podcasters? Meet Geoff Mitchell, the senior minister at Lindenwood Christian Church, who also hosts a popular podcast about TCU football. 

A 22-year-old got into a fight with a 17-year-old at a pickup basketball game. Why does TMZ care? Because the 22-year-old was Ja Morant. 

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DA’s office not pursuing criminal charges in alleged Ja Morant assault

Houston High student Eden Johnson, 17, is behind a remarkable effort to teach emergency cardiac response that began at Houston but has already reached well beyond that school.

Greyhounds have been racing at Southland since 1956. But Saturday was the last race. The day was a celebration of the end of an era — and for many, the end of a way of life.

Tyler Harris made one last trip to FedExForum Thursday. He may not have gotten the revenge he wanted — but he and the Memphis Tigers got what they needed from the night.