Morant shock for the Grizzlies
Theis’ Clippers dismantle the Phoenix Suns
January 9, 2024, 11:20 a.m
One day after the narrow defeat in the city duel, world champion Daniel Theis impressively returns to the road to success with the Los Angeles Clippers. The world champion team rushes past the Phoenix Suns. There is very bitter news for star Ja Morant.
The Los Angeles Clippers around basketball world champion Daniel Theis have won again in the NBA. The team defeated the Phoenix Suns at home with 138:111 (71:63), after narrowly losing to city rivals Lakers. This ended the run of five wins in a row. Theis had six points and three rebounds in just over 14 minutes of action; the hosts’ best scorers were Paul George (25 points), Ivica Zubac and James Harden (19 each). Superstar Harden achieved a double-double with his additional ten assists. The top scorer of the evening was Suns key player Kevin Durant (30).
After Theis joined the Clippers in mid-November last year, the center won 19 of the 25 games with his new team. The team from Los Angeles maintains fourth place in the Western Conference and is still on course for the playoffs. On Wednesday, Theis and the franchise will meet the Toronto Raptors around his national teammate and friend Dennis Schröder
The Milwaukee Bucks around superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo are still not really getting going. The 2021 NBA champions lost at home against the Utah Jazz 116:132 (46:77) and suffered their fourth defeat in the last five games. Antetokounmpo also couldn’t prevent the defeat with 25 points, eleven assists and ten rebounds, his fourth triple-double of the season. The Bucks remain second in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics, who also lost on Monday and were beaten by the Indiana Pacers 131:133 (68:59).
Quick end to the season after a comeback for Morant
Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies have to cope with bitter news: first their superstar Ja Morant missed 25 games due to off-field misconduct, now the season has ended prematurely just weeks after his return. The 24-year-old will not play again this season due to shoulder surgery. Due to “ongoing pain and instability,” the guard underwent an MRI scan and discovered a torn labrum, the Grizzlies said. The right shoulder is affected; Morant injured it in training last Saturday.
Morant returned to the floor on December 19th, and the two-time all-star shone with 34 points in the win over the New Orleans Pelicans (115:113). The NBA banned the professional for “conduct detrimental to the league” in the summer after he was repeatedly seen with weapons in social media posts.