Dorian Finney-Smith's Salute: A Gesture of Respect and Resilience

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In the high-octane world of the NBA, where every move is magnified and every gesture dissected, players often display signature behaviors that carry deeper meanings. One of the most intriguing among them is Dorian Finney-Smith's salute after taking a charge. To some, it's just a reaction. To others, it’s a message. But to those who know the heart of the game, it’s a story waiting to be told. This article explores whether Finney-Smith’s now-famous salute is simply a celebratory habit, a tribute to someone meaningful, or a personal ritual fueled by his unique journey in the NBA. The Salute: A Symbolic Gesture What Fans Are Seeing When Dorian Finney-Smith plants himself in the paint, absorbs a hit, and falls to the hardwood, fans have come to expect what happens next—he gets up, taps his chest, and offers a quick salute. It’s not showboating. It’s not defiance. It’s something more grounded, personal, and consistent. Meaning Beyond the Moment The salute gesture is classicall...

Ja Morant's 32 Points Lift Grizzlies Past Pelicans πŸ€πŸ”₯

 



The Memphis Grizzlies secured a thrilling win over the New Orleans Pelicans, with Ja Morant delivering a spectacular 32-point performance. His elite scoring, playmaking, and leadership were on full display as the Grizzlies outlasted their Western Conference rivals in a hard-fought game.


Ja Morant Takes Over the Game πŸ’ͺπŸ€

πŸ”₯ 32 Points | 9 Assists | 6 Rebounds | 2 Steals πŸ”₯

Morant dominated from start to finish, using his explosive athleticism and elite ball-handling to carve through the Pelicans' defense.

Attacking the paint with ease πŸš€πŸ’¨
Hitting clutch shots in key moments 🎯⏳
Facilitating teammates with precision passing πŸ‘€πŸŽ―
Locking in defensively to create turnovers πŸ”₯🚫

With Morant playing at this elite level, the Grizzlies are proving they can compete with any team in the West.


Grizzlies’ Supporting Cast Steps Up πŸ†πŸ”₯

While Morant was the star of the night, his teammates delivered big performances to secure the victory.

πŸ€ Jaren Jackson Jr.20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks πŸ†πŸ”₯
πŸ€ Desmond Bane18 points, strong three-point shooting 🎯πŸ’ͺ
πŸ€ Marcus SmartKey defensive plays & veteran leadership πŸš«πŸ€
πŸ€ Bench Impact – Provided energy, rebounding, and hustle πŸ”₯πŸ†

A balanced team effort was crucial in taking down a strong Pelicans squad.


Pelicans Struggle to Contain Morant 🚫πŸ”₯

The Pelicans fought hard, but they couldn’t slow down Morant’s offensive explosion.

πŸ”΄ Zion Williamson – 25 points, 7 rebounds, but struggled defensively. πŸ€πŸ’ͺ
πŸ”΄ Brandon Ingram – 22 points, but had difficulty against Memphis’ defense. 🚫πŸ”₯
πŸ”΄ CJ McCollum – 15 points, but struggled with efficiency. πŸŽ―πŸ‘€

The Pelicans' defense had no answers for Morant, allowing him to dictate the pace and control the game.


Playoff Implications: Grizzlies Climbing the Standings πŸš€πŸ”₯

This win is huge for Memphis as they continue their push for a strong playoff position.

✔️ Momentum heading into the final stretch πŸ†πŸ”₯
✔️ Confidence boost for the team πŸ’ͺπŸ€
✔️ Stronger grip on a playoff spot πŸŽ―πŸ€

If the Grizzlies can maintain this level of play, they will be a serious threat in the playoffs.


Ja Morant's 32 Points Lift Grizzlies Past Pelicans πŸ€πŸ”₯

The Memphis Grizzlies continued their push for playoff positioning with an impressive victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, thanks to a dominant performance by Ja Morant. His 32-point showcase led Memphis to a crucial win, proving once again why he is one of the NBA’s most electrifying young stars.

The matchup saw high-intensity plays, big-time shots, and an electric crowd as the Grizzlies fought off the Pelicans in a must-win game for both squads.


Ja Morant's Explosive Night πŸ”₯πŸ’ͺ

πŸ’₯ 32 Points | 9 Assists | 6 Rebounds | 2 Steals πŸ’₯

Morant set the tone early, attacking the basket with his signature speed and agility. The Pelicans' defense struggled to contain him as he continuously broke through their perimeter and converted tough layups.

πŸš€ Key Highlights of Morant’s Night:

✔️ Lightning-fast drives to the hoop πŸ’¨πŸ€
✔️ Clutch mid-range shots & floaters 🎯πŸ”₯
✔️ No-look assists to open teammates πŸ‘€πŸŽ―
✔️ Defensive hustle, creating turnovers πŸ”₯πŸ’ͺ

The Pelicans threw different defensive looks at him, but Morant’s versatility and quick decision-making kept them guessing all night.


Memphis' Supporting Cast Steps Up πŸ†πŸ”₯

While Morant stole the show, the Grizzlies’ depth played a crucial role in the victory.

πŸ€ Jaren Jackson Jr. – 20 Points | 8 Rebounds | 3 Blocks πŸ†πŸ”₯
πŸ”₯ Desmond Bane – 18 Points | 4 Three-Pointers | Lockdown Defense 🎯πŸ’ͺ
⚡ Marcus Smart – Key steals & veteran leadership πŸš«πŸ€
πŸ”₯ Brandon Clarke & Bench Unit – Energy, rebounding, and hustle πŸ€πŸ”₯

A well-balanced attack allowed Memphis to control the pace and limit the Pelicans’ scoring runs.


Pelicans’ Struggles Against Memphis' Defense 🚫πŸ”₯

The Pelicans entered the game needing a win, but they couldn’t contain Memphis’ energy on either end of the floor.

πŸ”΄ Zion Williamson – 25 points, but struggled in clutch moments πŸ€πŸ’ͺ
πŸ”΄ Brandon Ingram – 22 points, but faced tough defensive pressure 🚫πŸ”₯
πŸ”΄ CJ McCollum – 15 points, but shot inefficiently πŸŽ―πŸ‘€

Despite strong individual performances, the Pelicans failed to counter the Grizzlies' defensive adjustments and gave up key second-chance points.


Grizzlies' Playoff Push: Can They Keep This Momentum? πŸš€πŸ”₯

Memphis is now climbing the standings in the Western Conference, and this win keeps their playoff hopes alive.

✔️ Momentum heading into the season’s final stretch πŸ†πŸ”₯
✔️ Confidence boost for the entire squad πŸ’ͺπŸ€
✔️ Stronger grip on a playoff spot πŸŽ―πŸ€

If the Grizzlies maintain this level of play, they will be a serious problem for any team in the postseason.


Final Take: Are the Grizzlies Legit Contenders? πŸ†πŸ”₯

With Morant playing at an elite level and the team clicking, Memphis has the potential to make a deep playoff run.

πŸ”Ή What they need to improve:
πŸ‘‰ Consistent defense – Staying locked in every game. πŸ”’πŸ”₯
πŸ‘‰ Clutch execution – Closing out tight games. ⏳πŸ€
πŸ‘‰ Staying healthy – Injuries could derail their momentum. πŸš‘πŸš«

πŸ”₯ Do you think the Grizzlies can make a deep playoff run? Drop your thoughts below! πŸ‘‡πŸ€



Final Thoughts: Are the Grizzlies Contenders? πŸ†πŸ”₯

With Morant leading the charge and the team firing on all cylinders, the Grizzlies are proving they can compete with the NBA’s best.

πŸ”Ή What they need to improve:
πŸ‘‰ Consistency on defense – Staying locked in every game. πŸ”’πŸ”₯
πŸ‘‰ Clutch execution – Winning tight games down the stretch. ⏳πŸ€
πŸ‘‰ Health & durability – Avoiding injuries is key. πŸš‘πŸš«

If they check these boxes, Memphis could be a dark horse for a deep playoff run.

πŸ”₯ Do you think the Grizzlies can make noise in the playoffs? Drop your thoughts below! πŸ‘‡πŸ€