Memphis Grizzlies' Yuki Kawamura gets 1st NBA points, more praise from Ja Morant, game ball

Memphis Grizzlies’ Yuki Kawamura gets 1st NBA points, more praise from Ja Morant, game ball

Posted by Admin November 7, 2024 NBA

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Time was winding down in the Memphis Grizzlies‘ blowout win, and Ja Morant was going crazy.

He had left Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers with a hamstring injury and was standing in the tunnel when rookie Yuki Kawamura went to the free-throw line with 34 seconds remaining. He hit both free throws — his first two career NBA points — and that sent Morant and the rest of FedExForum into a frenzy.

“That’s my dog, man,” Morant said after the game.

Kawamura and Morant have had a close bond since training camp. The Japanese sensation has also instantly become a fan favorite in Memphis and “We want Yuki!” chants have become a certainty near the end of blowout games. When he entered the game, Morant started yelling at injured Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane on the bench to relay instructions.

“I had to tell Des to yell at him and tell him, ‘Man, just get the foul,’ ” Morant said. “He’s going to play aggressive, he just got in the game. Just get the foul, we’re in the bonus. Knock your free throws down, get your name in the paper.”

Kawamura got the game ball from the 131-114 win, too. It sat in his locker after the game for his teammates to sign.

“It was a special moment,” Kawamura said. “I would like to thank everyone who’s involved with the Memphis Grizzlies organization. I couldn’t have done it without them. Grizzlies fans, my teammates, my coaching staff, everyone, I want to thank.”

Kawamura is on a two-way contract and is likely to spend time with the Memphis Hustle once the NBA G League season starts this weekend. The 5-foot-8 phenom, who played for Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympics, had a strong training camp and preseason. That earned him a two-way contract when Scotty Pippen Jr., who had been on a two-way, got a standard deal before the season started. Kawamura had 10 points and had seven assists in a preseason win over the Indiana Pacers.

“We’re all really happy for him,” center Jay Huff said. “That’s just such a great feeling. I remember when I got the game ball after scoring my first points. It was a really cool souvenir. I held on to it for probably the whole 24 hours, it felt like. For him to get those, I think it’s really great. I was hoping the fadeaway would’ve fallen, but any way you can get your first NBA points, it’s awesome. We’re proud of him.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. summed it up succinctly.

“It was great,” he said. “Game ball, man. Yuki, man. I love when he’s out there.”

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.