Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has been hit with a one-game suspension by the Memphis Grizzlies for “conduct detrimental to the team,” according to ESPN.
The suspension is in response to comments Morant made to the media following the Grizzlies’ loss yesterday to the Los Angeles Lakers. When asked by reporters what Morant could have done better after he went 3-14 for 8 points, Morant responded, “According to [the coaching staff], probably don’t play me, honestly… that’s basically what the message
was. It’s cool.”
This is despite Morant playing “eight minutes and 25 seconds in the fourth quarter – more than any other Memphis player – and logg[ing] 16 minutes and 11 seconds in the second half, second only to Jaren Jackson Jr. He missed all seven of his shots after halftime,” according to The Guardian.
After emerging as an MVP candidate and winning Most Improved Player as a 22-year-old during the 2021-22 season, Morant’s career was put in jeopardy after a pair of suspensions in 2023 involving firearms. He played only nine games last season following a suspension before suffering a labral tear in his shoulder, and this year in six games is averaging just 20.8 points on 40.6% shooting from the field, his lowest output since his sophomore season.
