The Grizzlies have suspended point guard Ja Morant for one game for conduct detrimental to the team, the team announced today in a press release (Twitter link).
According to Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link), head coach Tuomas Iisalo challenged Morant’s “leadership and effort” following Friday’s loss to the Lakers. Morant responded to Iisalo in a “tone deemed inappropriate,” sources tell Charania.
Morant will lose 1/145th of his $39,446,090 salary for 2025/26 as a result of the suspension, notes ESPN’s Bobby Marks (via Twitter). That works out to $272,042.
In a brief session with the media after Friday’s game (video link), Morant repeatedly said to “go ask the coaching staff” when asked about his listless performance — the 26-year-old finished with season lows of eight points and one rebound in 31 minutes. He shot just 3-of-14 from the floor and attempted a season-low two free throws.
Morant’s one-game suspension will be served on Sunday in Toronto.
According to Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (subscriber link), Morant was “visibly disengaged” during the second half of Friday’s contest, notably not attempting any shots in the final five minutes of the game after making a game-winning floater on Wednesday in Phoenix.
As Cole writes, while Iisalo has been complimented by players for his direct approach, he has also faced questions about some of his substitution patterns.
When asked what the team could have done to get a different result on Friday, Morant replied, “According to them, probably don’t play me, honestly. That’s basically what the message was after.”
The league is nothing but narratives, the Mavericks proved that with Nico
This season is full of great narratives. We should be talking about Wemby playing like a 2k my player character out there, or Maxey taking a giant step, or VJ shining, or Reeves amazing numbers, or Giannis and Jokic being great. There’s so much great basketball right now. But, with the Kawhi stuff, the cheating, the repeated drama of guys like Ja it’s such an unnecessary distraction.
Those are all great storylines this season. VJ looks like a certified vet out there already.
By cheating you actually mean gambling? Those are different things btw
Yes I meant gambling and I do think shaving points counts as cheating
Distractions are only distractions because the narrative makes you believe it’s a distraction. To distract your from what’s real
Ja is a young punk, but an electric and talented one.
He’s mainly electrocuting himself at this point.
His real name is Clarence
His first name is Temetrious, Clarence might be an upgrade. (I know you were referencing 8 mile).
I don’t think Taylor Jenkins was the issue there…
Dont know how he is out of a job, Knicks should have hired him
Oh oh ……. F!!! This lols. Trade me to Raptors …
NOW ——- Quickley and Dick plus a pick
Good for Memphis to do it, but don’t think it will sink into Ja.
CLOWN SHOW
Ja aside the only ones trying are coward, landale and Spencer. Wells is shot on confidence and KCP isn’t a fit. JJJ hasn’t got going yet.
AND FREE GG!
The Kanye West of the NBA. Ja has moved past the forced public apologies. Now he’s promised always to be real.
Only 2 years ago, Ja was heralded as the new face of the NBA. Since then, he’s lost corporate endorsements from Powerade, Hulu, Wendy’s, Body Armor, Beats by Dre, etc. His Nike shoe deal remains, but is rumored to be ending soon.
I hesitate to say Ja makes “bad decisions” because he always claims he’s aware of consequences when he makes them and doesn’t regret any of them in hindsight.
Those decisions are estimated to have cost him ~$150M to date as well as a future income stream of $50M year.
Zion gets so criticised (and rightfully so) but Ja Morant has far underperfomed in my opinion
They’ve both underperformed and both have had their share of off court issues.
If I was the Grizzlies I’d trade him!!