Ja Morant’s performance against the Timberwolves was eerily similar to two different LeBron James moments

Ja Morant is just 22 years old but he’s already given us some absolutely classic moments in these playoffs.

And I’m not just talking about his vicious dunk over Malik Beasley — although, yes, that definitely counts. No idea what Beasley did to Morant to deserve that other than stand in the way, but I’ll enjoy it nonetheless.

But it was really everything that happened after that that solidified Morant’s night.

We’ll remember it as one of the ones that he solidified his status as an absolute superstar in the NBA with his performances. He legitimately made plays that only all-time great NBA players make.

He gave us moments that were eerily similar to plays made by one of the best players ever: LeBron James.

Yes, you read that correctly. Before you go away, though, just take a look below:

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I know y’all remember the moment we first found out LeBron James was going to be LeBron James. 

There are plenty of moments you could consider for that. But the definitive one was when he absolutely obliterated the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Dude scored the final 25 points for the Cavaliers at 22 years old.

Guess what Ja Morant did? Scored the final 13 for the Grizzlies in game 5. Not as many points as James, but still the most consecutive points by a player younger than 22 since LeBron did it all those years ago, per ESPN’s Stats & Info.

Ja Morant scored the Grizzlies’ last 13 points in Game 5.

It’s the most consecutive points by a player 22 or younger to finish a playoff game since LeBron James scored the final 25 for the Cavaliers in Game 5 of the 2007 Conference Finals.

That game also featured a game-winner. pic.twitter.com/08fO5acroI

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 27, 2022

Both games ended in a game-winner, too. And speaking of game-winners…

Remember that incredible Pacers-Heat series from back in 2013? The one where LeBron James and Paul George were going head-to-head? If you recall, there was a game-winning layup in that series, too.

In Game 1 with the Pacers up by two points in overtime, the Heat run a play that springs James up to the top of the key. Paul George overplays the pass just a tiny bit and that leads to this beauty of a game-winner.

The same deal happens here with Morant. He flashes to the top. Anthony Edwards gets way over the top and overplays the pass trying to get a steal. He completely whiffs, Morant catches the ball and the rest is history.

https://twitter.com/memgrizz/status/1519291266428805121?s=20&t=ZACGl7FB6_QiuvutL64AKA

The plays are slightly different, yes. But the result is the same. And it was pretty fascinating watching in real-time — especially for people who remember the James play like it was yesterday.

Shoutout to Mike Prada, who first pointed it out.

Very similar to the LeBron game-winning layup against Paul George in 2013.

(Not exactly the same, but similar) https://t.co/qtC4ShiFZT

— Mike Prada. (PRAY-duh) (@MikePradaNBA) April 27, 2022

Just a really fun moment, all around.

Ja Morant is not LeBron James nor is he an all-time great player — at least not yet, anyway. There’s still plenty of basketball left in his young, budding career.

But in another 10 or 15 years when we look back on this moment and this series, we’ll recognize these moments as the ones that made Ja, Ja.

Let’s appreciate them while we have them, folks.