It was a memorable weekend for Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies at the NBA All-Star festivities. And that was before Morant threw down his eye-popping dunk.

Feb. 20, 2022: Team LeBron defeats Team Durant at the NBA All Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Field House in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Grizzlies guard delivered two dunks that had the television announcers in awe.

Desmond Bane was knocked out of the NBA 3-point contest after posting a score of 18 points, but the Grizzlies guard won’t go home empty-handed. 

When it hit the Grizzlies’ point guard that he was an All-Star, he said his celebration felt only right. 

Desmond Bane made the game-winning free throws to help his team advance, but Team Isiah lost in the final of the Rising Stars Challenge. 

But right now, Bane’s focus is on two things: fun, and winning the NBA All-Star 3-point contest Saturday night.

Inside the barbershop and at the basketball games, the people of Dalzell, S.C., laugh about just how similar Ja Morant and his father are.

The series will both examine “the ruthless intersection of sports, music and street culture” in Memphis.

The Grizzlies are ready to bring Memphis to Cleveland. 

“Everybody who knows me knows that I’m always going to mention where I’m from with everything that I do, because everything that I do is for the place that I’m from.”

Feb. 16, 2022: The Portland Trail Blazers defeat the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.

Related story:

Grizzlies fight back from deficit, but Trail Blazers beat them at their own game

Ja Morant had 44 points and Desmond Bane scored 30 in the last game before the All-Star break. 

Related story:

Box score: Trail Blazers 123, Grizzlies 119

“I told his dad he was going to be the best player in the state because of his I.Q., but I didn’t know he was going to be one of the best players in the world,” said Bryan Brown. 

Feb. 15, 2022: The Memphis Grizzlies defeat the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

With Ja Morant sidelined by his ankle, Jones stepped in and scored a career-high 27 points as Memphis won its sixth straight. 

Ja Morant will miss Tuesday’s game with ankle soreness after stepping on a camera operator Saturday in Charlotte. 

Drew Hill and Chris Herrington discuss the best and worst parts of All-Star weekend. 

For the first time in franchise history, the Memphis Grizzlies have 40 wins before the All-Star break. And they aren’t finished yet. 

Amid teams in turmoil with ill-fitting personalities, the Grizzlies have been a refreshing example of fun.

Memphis’ 35-point lead dwindled to four, but some clutch baskets by Bane, Jones and Morant secured the win.

Related story:

Box score: Grizzlies 125, Hornets 118

Feb. 12, 2022: The Grizzlies defeat the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center in Charlotte.

Feb. 10, 2022: The Grizzlies defeat the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. 

Related story:

Nothing too fancy: Grizzlies win with workmanlike effort

Desmond Bane breaks out of his recent shooting slump and the bench picked up the slack in a 25-point win over Pistons.

Related story:

Box score: Grizzlies 132, Pistons 107

The Grizzlies were one of only five NBA teams that didn’t make a deal ahead of the league’s trade deadline. They chose to keep the NBA’s second-youngest roster intact.