For anyone curious about the impactful boost associated with having four days off during the NBA’s grueling 82-game gauntlet, they need not look any further than Jerami Grant’s performance on December 13, 2024. Eager to correct an off-shooting night during his last appearance, the Portland Trail Blazers’ gifted forward gets to work, literally on the game’s opening play, matching his teammate’s disruptive energy by ripping the basketball free of Victor Wembanyama’s possession. Fresh, and thus prepared to dive if need be, Grant — grounded, and laying vertically — tosses a perpendicular over-the-head dime to a transition-bound teammate, helping Rip City kickstart the battle with a memorable fastbreak finish. Grant's impact offered immediate returns, as he turned in one of 2024-25’s best regular-season showings, even in a defeat against the San Antonio Spurs. Helping the energetic Blazers collect 14 “stocks” (steals plus blocks) by night’s end, Grant starred on both ends with 32 points (on 12-of-19 shooting), four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and a career-best eight 3-pointers. · Dec 14, 2024