It was the moment every NBA fan had been waiting for since the schedule dropped. The 6-foot-2 human pogo stick versus the 7-foot-4 "alien" with an eight-foot wingspan. Honestly, it felt inevitable. When Ja Morant dunks on Wemby, it isn't just a two-point play; it’s a cultural event in the basketball world.
The first time it truly went viral was January 2, 2024. Memphis was buzzing. Ja had recently returned from his 25-game suspension, looking like he had some frustration to burn off. Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs' rookie phenom, was already leading the league in blocks. He was a brick wall made of limbs.
Then came the fourth quarter.
The Dunk That Shook FedExForum
With about nine minutes left in the game, Ja caught the ball on the right side. He saw Wemby waiting in the paint. Most players would have pulled up for a floater or kicked it out to Desmond Bane. Not Ja. He drove right, cut back toward the middle, and exploded.
He didn't just score. He went through the rookie. It was a vicious two-handed flush that sent the Memphis crowd into a literal frenzy.
You've gotta understand the physics here. Wembanyama is basically a foot taller than Morant. When Ja climbs that ladder, he’s defying gravity in a way that makes you wonder if he’s actually got springs in his Nikes.
After the game, Ja was surprisingly chill about it. He told reporters it was "just another bucket" and that he doesn't try to dunk on people like he used to.
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Yeah, right.
Wemby, to his credit, took it like a pro. He called Ja a "great player" and noted how hard it is to stay in front of someone that fast. That’s the thing about Wembanyama—he doesn't duck posters. He’d rather get dunked on ten times than let someone have an easy layup. That’s a rare mentality for a guy his size.
The "Dunk of the Year" That Didn't Count
Fast forward to January 15, 2025. The sequel.
This one was even crazier, but there’s a catch. If you were watching the game, you saw Ja pull off a move that looked like something out of NBA Jam. He drove, rose up, and threw the ball down right over Wembanyama’s outstretched hands.
The stadium exploded. Social media went nuclear.
But then the whistle blew.
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A foul had been called on Stephon Castle before Ja even left the floor. Technically, in the stat sheet, it never happened. It was a "dead ball" dunk. But tell that to anyone who saw it.
Why the 2025 Highlight Was Different
In the 2024 game, it was a clean, live-ball poster. In 2025, it was more of a statement. Ja knew the whistle blew. Wemby knew the whistle blew. But neither of them stopped.
- The Reach: Wemby still went up to contest it, showing that "rim protector" ego.
- The Power: Ja didn't just layup the ball; he tried to tear the rim off.
- The Reaction: The Grizzlies bench reacted like they’d just won the Finals.
Some critics, especially on Reddit and Twitter, tried to downplay it. They said Morant’s hand didn't actually touch the rim, making it a "mutated layup" rather than a true dunk. Basically, the Blake Griffin debate all over again.
But if you’re throwing the ball down from that height over a guy that tall? It's a dunk. End of story.
Decoding the Ja vs. Wemby Rivalry
There is a weird respect between these two. It's the classic "unstoppable force meets immovable object" trope, but with a lot more swagger.
Wembanyama is the future of the league’s defense. He had eight blocks in that 2025 game before halftime. Think about that. He’s a terrifying presence.
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When Ja Morant dunks on Wemby, he’s essentially telling the rest of the league that the "Alien" is human. It breaks the mystique. It gives other guards the confidence to actually challenge the rim instead of settling for mid-range jumpers.
Honestly, the NBA needs this. We need the small guards who fear nothing going at the giants. It reminds me of AI going at Shaq or Rose going at LeBron. It’s pure theater.
What This Means for the Grizzlies and Spurs
Memphis has had a rocky couple of years. Between injuries and off-court drama, they needed a spark. Seeing Ja back to his "Poster King" status is a sign that the Grizzlies are still a threat in the West. They play with a "Grit and Grind" mentality that really feeds off these high-energy plays.
For San Antonio, these moments are part of the growing pains. Wemby is going to be the DPOY for a long time. Part of that job description is being on the wrong end of a highlight every now and then.
Key Takeaways from the Matchups
- Fearlessness wins: Ja’s ability to stay aggressive despite Wemby’s eight blocks is why he’s elite.
- Length isn't everything: Speed and verticality can still overcome 7-foot-4 wingspans.
- The stats don't tell the whole story: That 2025 "non-dunk" did more for Memphis' momentum than any actual basket.
If you're a basketball fan, you should be circling every Grizzlies vs. Spurs game on your calendar. These two are going to be at each other's throats for the next decade.
Next time they play, keep an eye on how Wemby adjusts his positioning. He’s a quick learner. He might start timing those jumps differently, or maybe he’ll just swat Ja into the third row. Either way, it’s going to be must-watch TV.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, watch the full game replays rather than just the ten-second clips on Instagram. You'll see the setup. You'll see the way Ja manipulates the screen to get Wemby isolated. That’s where the real magic happens.
Go watch the 2024 highlights again. Pay attention to Ja's feet. The footwork required to get into that jumping position while moving at full speed is insane. Then, compare it to the 2025 clip. You'll see a player who has somehow gotten even more confident in his athleticism.