MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant returned from a one-game suspension Monday night for conduct detrimental to the team, scoring 18 points and adding 10 assists in the Memphis Grizzlies' 114-106 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
In his postgame comments, Morant added little response to the friction that boiled over for him and the franchise over the weekend. Many of his answers were short, and involved the theme of following the organization's statement when
the suspension was announced.
“Y'all asked that question of them, huh?” he said. “... So, y'all know the answer to that.”
There were few details about the disagreement between the organization and its star guard. The team-imposed punishment was issued based on actions by Morant, the team's leading scorer, in Memphis' loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Morant served the suspension Sunday during a loss at Toronto.
Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo avoided details of the disagreement with Morant before the game Monday, saying it was “an internal matter” and wouldn't be discussed in public.
“We had a discussion, and we're all looking to move forward and beat the Pistons,” said Iisalo, who is in his first full year as Grizzlies coach. He took over on an interim basis late last season after the organization fired Taylor Jenkins.
Morant was in the Grizzlies' locker room before the game, but ignored reporters' questions before getting dressed for warmups and leaving without saying a word.
Morant, who had only eight points in Friday's loss, seemed disengaged during the second half and was less aggressive throughout. Normally one of the league's best finishers in the paint, Morant settled for jumpers, attempting almost as many 3-pointers as he did shots in the lane.
Morant answered each question after that game with a variety of “go ask the coaching staff." At one point, he was asked what the team could do differently, replying: ”According to them, probably don’t play me, honestly. That’s what basically the message was after. It’s cool.”
With Morant struggling, the Grizzlies let a 69-55 halftime lead evaporate quickly in the second half.
There was little advancement in Morant's comments after Monday's loss compared to Friday. He continued to refer back to the organization's statement.
“Obviously, they can't go and tell y'all something I ain't said,” Morant replied to a question, later adding: If I didn't have a good relationship with (them), I wouldn't talk to them at all."
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