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Latest On Grizzlies, Ja Morant

November 2nd, 2025 at 10:14am CST by Rory Maher

Appearing on SportsCenter on Sunday morning (YouTube link), ESPN’s Shams Charania provided more details on what led to Ja Morant receiving a one-game suspension for what the Grizzlies called conduct detrimental to the team.

“There has been tension in the last several days around Ja Morant and his feelings toward head coach Tuomas Iisalo‘s rotation patterns, his plays, but it really culminated after — and during — the loss to the Lakers on Friday night,” Charania said.

“In the post-game locker room, Morant and Iisalo had an exchange where Iisalo called out Morant’s leadership and effort in front of the whole team,” Charania continued. “And as teammates and staffers all looked on, Morant responded in what the team deemed an inappropriate and dismissive way, according to sources.

“And that’s when the Grizzlies, their team officials huddled up. They levied a one-game suspension on Ja Morant he will serve on Sunday in Toronto.”

Charania was then asked how the Grizzlies and Morant planned to proceed after the incident.

“For now, Morant is expected to rejoin the team on Monday at home against the Detroit Pistons,” Charania replied. “The sides are looking to move past this and move on. … Teams across the league though are monitoring this, keeping an eye on where this relationship stands between Ja Morant and the Grizzlies.”

Morant, a two-time All-Star, has gotten off to a slow start in 2025/26, averaging 20.3 points per game but shooting just 40.6% from the field, including 15.6% from three-point range. The 26-year-old point guard’s assists (6.7), rebounds (3.3) and minutes (28.5) per game are all at career-low levels through six contests.

The Grizzlies are currently 3-3. They have been hit hard by injuries again this fall, with multiple key players sidelined to open the season.

Heat Notes: Powell, Rozier, Herro, Jakucionis, Morant, LaRoche

November 2nd, 2025 at 8:22am CST by Rory Maher

Heat guard Norman Powell is in the final year of his contract, which will pay him $20.48MM in 2025/26. He will remain extension-eligible through June 30, 2026, and if a deal is not reached he will become an unrestricted free agent.

According to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald, Powell recently made it clear he hopes to sign a long-term extension with the Heat.

“I love it here. I love everything about the Heat,” Powell emphasized. “I loved them before. They were on my list before I signed my extension in Portland. I wanted to come here and play for the Heat. So I’m excited. I like the culture. I like what they have going on here. I like the mentality and the approach. I feel like they take guys to the next level. They push them past their own expectations, they have high standards. And I always like being around people that have high aspirations and high goals for themselves. It fits who I am, so I want to be here. Hopefully they feel the same way.”

As Chiang writes, Powell was off to a hot start to the season, averaging 24.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals on .477/.500/.913 shooting in three games (31.0 minutes per contest) before suffering a right groin strain that has caused him to miss the past two. The 32-year-old is questionable for Sunday’s contest at the Lakers.

“Hopefully [the Heat] like everything that’s happened so far and what I bring to the table outside of just on the court,” said Powell, who recently described himself as “super low-maintenance.” “But just who I am every single day, stepping into the arena, integrating myself with the team and the staff and the members around. Hopefully everybody appreciates my presence and we’ll be able to get something done. But, yeah, I want to be here.”

Here’s more on the Heat:

Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel lists the short-term steps he believes commissioner Adam Silver should take to give the Heat more cap and roster flexibility in the wake of Terry Rozier‘s arrest — the veteran guard is facing two federal charges as part of an illegal gambling probe. While the information isn’t really relevant now, a source tells Winderman that the Heat considered waiving Rozier before the season began (a small portion of his contract was non-guaranteed at the time) and also had buyout discussions with the 31-year-old.
All-Star Tyler Herro (left ankle surgery) and rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis (right groin strain) are traveling with the team on its current four-game road trip, which ends Wednesday in Denver, per Chiang of The Miami Herald. “It’s good for them,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said about Herro and Jakucionis joining the team on the road. “For us, sure, it’s always good to have them around. But I think it just speeds up the whole process when they’re around the guys, around the game, around the whole travel routine, and participating in some of the things that they can do, which they did this morning.” Both players are out on Sunday, though Jakucionis is closer to making his season debut — the 2025 first-round pick is considered day-to-day.
Although the Heat have expressed “more than passing” interest in Ja Morant in the past, Winderman doesn’t expect the team to explore the possibility of buying low on the Grizzlies guard in the wake of his latest off-court incident, which resulted in a one-game suspension for detrimental conduct following a disagreement with the coaching staff.
Speaking of the Grizzlies, former Memphis assistant coach Noah LaRoche is now a consultant with the Heat, who have implemented the movement-heavy offense LaRoche was in charge of last season with Memphis, sources tell Brian Windhorst of ESPN. It’s only been five games, but the Heat currently rank seventh in the league in offensive efficiency after finishing 21st, 21st and 25th in the league in that category over the past three years, Windhorst notes. “You know Spo is running the polar opposite of the system that [Heat president] Pat Riley used to run, where he called every play and each play design was exact,” a league executive said. “And it makes me further appreciate and respect that the organization is about the right s–t. They’re about exploring and teaching in Miami.”

Southwest Notes: Mavericks, Gafford, Irving, Rockets, Morant

November 1st, 2025 at 9:45pm CST by Arthur Hill

Tonight’s game in Mexico City is an important part of the NBA’s international outreach and a chance for the Mavericks to build their fan base in the neighboring nation, writes Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News (subscription required). The Mavs’ contest against Detroit marks their eighth appearance in Mexico and the NBA’s 33rd overall since 1992.

“For fans outside of the U.S., the opportunity for them to enjoy a live experience of an NBA game is very limited,” said Raul Zarraga, vice president and managing director of NBA Mexico. “This is part of our commitment to provide this live experience to fans all around the world.”

Dwight Powell, the only player left on the roster from the Mavericks’ last trip to Mexico during the 2019/20 season, recalls the crowd being “extremely energetic.” Zarraga said Mexican fans as a group don’t have a strong rooting interest in any franchise, but they tend to like the three Texas teams as well as those with successful histories such as the Bulls, Lakers and Heat.

One of tonight’s top attractions will be No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg, who’s looking forward to playing in front of an international crowd.

“I’ve been to Cancun one time for a vacation, but other than that, I’ve never been to Mexico,” Flagg said. “I’m excited. I’ve heard it’s really beautiful. Detroit’s a really good team, so it should be a competitive, high-level game.”

There’s more from the Southwest Division:

Daniel Gafford is in the Mavericks‘ starting lineup as he makes his season debut, but coach Jason Kidd said he’ll be restricted to about 15-18 minutes, per Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal (Twitter link). D’Angelo Russell is also active after being listed as questionable with a left knee contusion.
Asked about Kyrie Irving at tonight’s pregame press conference, Kidd hinted that his star guard could be back in action before the end of the year, Curtis tweets. “We just can’t wait to get Kai back, at some point,” Kidd said. “Hopefully it’s in the year of ’25, not ’26. We’ll see what happens, but I think those two (Irving/Flagg) will be a perfect match in the backcourt.”
Rockets coach Ime Udoka is still working out his rotation and is trying to create more playing time for backup center Clint Capela, according to Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Udoka added that there’s still no timetable for Dorian Finney-Smith, who is recovering from offseason ankle surgery, but he and Jae’Sean Tate will get a chance to earn rotation roles when they’re fully healthy. Tate is currently restricted to 15 minutes per game.
The Grizzlies have already reached a turning point in their season after today’s one-game suspension of Ja Morant, contends Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. Cole states that Morant seemed “disengaged” during Friday’s loss to the Lakers, and he was upset after a post-game interaction with coach Tuomas Iisalo, who is known for being direct with players. Cole adds that the season could unravel quickly if Morant, Iisalo and Jaren Jackson Jr. don’t work together as leaders.

Ja Morant Receives One-Game Suspension From Grizzlies

November 1st, 2025 at 3:17pm CST by Rory Maher

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.”

Ja Morant Expresses Frustration With Coaching Staff After Poor Outing

November 1st, 2025 at 8:25am CST by Dana Gauruder

Toumas Iisalo is in the early stages of his first full season as the Grizzlies head coach, but his star player is already expressing frustration with him.

After Ja Morant struggled mightily during the team’s loss to the Lakers on Friday, Morant repeatedly told the media, “Go ask the coaching staff,” and “Go ask him” when quizzed on his performance.

Asked if he had any other observations regarding the game, Morant offered the following reply, per Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal (Twitter link).

“According to them, probably don’t play me, honestly. That’s basically what the message was after.”

Morant scored eight points on 3-of-14 shooting with seven assists while playing just under 31 minutes on Friday. Although he has appeared in all six of Memphis’ games this season, he has not played more than 31:33 in any game yet this season, Josh Robbins of The Athletic notes. He was also torched by Luka Doncic on the defensive end as the Lakers star poured in 44 points.

Morant wrapped up his post-game comments by denying there was anything wrong with him physically. The media didn’t get a chance to talk to the coach regarding Morant’s comments.

Former All-Star Blake Griffin, now a commentator on Amazon Prime Video, criticized Morant after the game.

“For a guy that’s making $40 million and needs to be the leader of the team, I just don’t love it. I don’t know if he was not feeling well, if he’s hurt. But that, to me, is a very bad sign and is something that … has to change,” Griffin said, per Robbins.

Morant is shooting 40.6% overall and just 15.6% on 3s. He’s in the third year of a five-year, $197.2MM contract, while Memphis is off to a 3-3 start this season.

Morant, of course, is no stranger to controversy. He was suspended twice by the league in 2023 for conduct detrimental to the league after social media posts in which he was seen brandishing a firearm.

Morant’s comments on Friday suggest some sort of disconnect with the current staff. Whether that could lead to a trade request or the front office making him available in trade talks remains to be seen.

Grizzlies Notes: Coward, Small, Morant, Bassey

October 27th, 2025 at 11:16pm CST by Rory Maher

After a slow start during the preseason, rookie Cedric Coward has quickly shown why the Grizzlies were so high on him entering the 2025 draft. Memphis traded a future first-round pick and two second-rounders in order to move up five spots from No. 16 to draft Coward at No. 11 overall.

The 22-year-old wing, who earned praise from his coaches and teammates during training camp, averaged an extremely efficient 15.0 points per game over his first two contests. And in Saturday’s victory over Indiana, Coward erupted for 27 points (on 9-of-13 shooting), six rebounds and four assists in just 24 minutes.

“It’s just been waiting to happen,” head coach Tuomas Iisalo said, per Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (subscription required). “He’s making those shots in practice and knocking them down at a high clip. Great free throw shooter, like, all the signs are there.”

As Sharon Brown of The Memphis Flyer writes, Coward doesn’t act or play like a rookie, with an even-keeled demeanor, “quiet confidence,” and excellent work ethic — traits that should serve him well over a long season.

“It’s super important,” Coward said of his poised demeanor. “We’ve got 82 of these things, plus playoffs … You have to take the highs and the lows the same. You can’t just do it one time and be satisfied.”

We have more from Memphis:

In addition to Coward, backcourt injuries have also created an opportunity for rookie guard Javon Small, writes Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com. “He’s worked extremely hard to learn a ton of things in a short amount of time,” Iisalo said of Small, who is on a two-way contract. “He’s doing a great job. He listens. He just absorbs. He has a confidence that really works for us, and he’s become big-time for us in a situation that we really needed him.”
Star point guard Ja Morant used to be mentioned as one of the future faces of the league until off-court incidents and injuries changed the trajectory of his career, but he tells Nick Friedell of The Athletic he was never interested in filling the role. “There’s a lot that comes with that,” Morant said. “I play basketball for the love of the game, not to be the face of the NBA. Obviously, I hear that a lot. I don’t put no pressure on it. I just go out and just play my game. Me pretty much just going out there and doing that had me in those conversations. Obviously, people have their own opinions, but I really don’t care for it too much.”
The Grizzlies signed center Charles Bassey to a 10-day hardship contract on Monday. Iisalo praised the Nigerian big man’s rebounding prowess and said he’ll get a chance to play for Memphis at some point, as Cole relays (via Twitter). “He will get his opportunity,” Iisalo said of Bassey. “Whether that comes today or in the future games, that remains to be seen.”

Ja Morant Expected To Play In Grizzlies’ Season Opener

October 20th, 2025 at 6:13pm CST by Rory Maher

Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant is expected to play in Wednesday’s regular season opener vs. New Orleans after missing the entire preseason with a sprained left ankle, writes Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (subscription required).

“Ja is progressing really well,” head coach Tuomas Iisalo said after Monday’s practice. “He’s expected to make a return on opening night.”

As Cole notes, Morant sustained the injury during a practice on October 5. He was considered week-to-week at the time, and it sounds like he’ll be ready to go about two-and-a-half weeks later.

Morant, a two-time All-Star, only played nine games in 2023/24 — he was suspended for the first 25 games of the campaign, then underwent season-ending surgery in January 2024 to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The 26-year-old was plagued by health issues last season as well, appearing in 50 games due to a variety of injuries, including repeated problems with the same shoulder.

Morant’s return appearing imminent is certainly good news for Memphis, which will be shorthanded in the backcourt before the season even begins — Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe surgery) is out 12-plus weeks, while Ty Jerome (right calf strain) will miss at least four.

Iisalo also provided a minor injury update on fourth-year wing Vince Williams Jr., Cole adds. Williams, who was limited to just 27 games last season due to injuries and missed some time during the preseason, is battling “nagging heel soreness,” an issue the team continues to monitor.

Injuries Leave Grizzlies Seeking Backcourt Help

October 20th, 2025 at 10:59am CST by Arthur Hill

The Grizzlies are considering adding another guard in the wake of multiple backcourt injuries, league sources tell Grant Afseth of RG.org. Memphis’ front office is looking at internal and external options to stabilize the team’s depth chart, Afseth adds.

Scotty Pippen Jr. became the latest significant loss over the weekend as the team announced that he’ll undergo surgery on his left big toe. Pippen doesn’t have a projected timeline to return, but he won’t be reevaluated for 12 weeks. He averaged 9.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 79 games last season and made 21 starts.

Ja Morant is week-to-week after spraining his left ankle during practice in early October. There’s hope that he’ll be ready for Wednesday’s opener, but his status remains uncertain. Coach Tuomas Iisalo said Morant is “progressing really well” and was able to participate in the shootaround before Friday’s preseason finale in Miami.

“Ja continues to work with our group,” Iisalo said. “He’s ramping up well, but we’ll keep being cautious.”

[Update: Morant is expected to play in Memphis’ opener].

The injury issues mounted when offseason addition Ty Jerome left Friday’s game early after hurting his right calf. No updates have been provided on his condition, but he may also have to miss some time.

[Update: Jerome will miss at least four weeks with a high-grade right calf strain].

Afseth states that Memphis is assessing the players who became available Saturday when most teams made their final roster cuts. The Grizzlies are already at the maximum of 15 standard contracts, but they could open a two-way slot to get guard help while their rotation players heal. That would mean waiving either PJ Hall, Olivier-Maxence Prosper or Javon Small, the team’s current two-way players.

Small could be an option if Memphis decides to address the problem internally, Afseth adds. The rookie out of West Virginia was impressive during the preseason, averaging 10.8 points, 4.8 assists and 1.8 rebounds in four games while shooting 44.7% from the field and 52.9% from three-point range.

Southwest Notes: Flagg, Hardy, Nembhard, Morant, Jackson Jr., Barnes

October 14th, 2025 at 10:46pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Cooper Flagg, point guard? At least for this week, that’s his spot. With D’Angelo Russell sitting out against Utah in the Mavericks’ preseason game on Monday, Flagg got the nod at the point in a jumbo lineup featuring P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II, Marc Stein of the Stein Line tweets.

The Mavericks staff is eager to see what the No. 1 overall pick in the draft can do in different roles. Flagg responded on Monday with 11 points. He had just one assist but no turnovers.

“When you look at what Cooper’s done here, it’s been really good,” coach Jason Kidd said, per Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops Journal. “We’ve put him in different situations — running the offense, running plays, playing off the ball. There are things he has to improve. He’s not perfect yet, but being able to make plays and understand the game at a high level at 18 has been really cool to watch.”

Kidd plans to go with the same lineup against the Lakers, according to Afseth.

“You’ll probably see that group start again on Wednesday,” Kidd said.

Here’s more from the Southwest Division:

Kidd used Ryan Nembhard, who is signed to a two-way contract, as the first point guard off the bench ahead of Jaden Hardy, Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News notes (Twitter links). Hardy has struggled in the preseason and Kidd wants him to be more than a scorer. “I think growth has to be able to not just score the ball. We know he can do that,” the Mavericks‘ head coach said. “Can he make plays for others? Can he get us set in the offense? Being able to compete on the defensive end. He’s going to get a great opportunity in preseason to show that he has grown.” Hardy signed a three-year, $18MM extension last year which kicks in this season.
Grizzlies stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are making good progress in their rehab from injuries, head coach Tuomas Iisalo said on Tuesday, per Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “Both guys are progressing really well and are able to do significantly more than one week ago,” Iisalo said. Morant is considered week-to-week with a sprained left ankle. Jackson is recovering from turf toe surgery. Neither has seen action in the preseason.
Expect Harrison Barnes to remain in a starting role with the Spurs, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News writes (subscription required). While head coach Mitch Johnson has yet to announce an opening night lineup, Barnes has not come off the bench in any game since the 2015/16 season. He enters his 14th season riding a streak of 304 consecutive games played. “I’m just trying to be out there for every game,” said Barnes, who has an expiring $19MM contract.

Ja Morant Week-To-Week With Sprained Ankle

October 6th, 2025 at 10:50am CST by Arthur Hill

Ja Morant sprained his left ankle during Sunday’s practice and is considered week-to-week, a Grizzlies spokesperson tells Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (Twitter link).

The injury almost certainly means Morant will miss Memphis’ five preseason games. It also jeopardizes his availability for the regular season opener on October 22 against New Orleans.

The Grizzlies were hoping for improved health from their star guard, who was limited to 50 games last season due to a variety of injuries, including some recurring issues in his surgically repaired right shoulder. He also suffered a hip injury during the playoffs that forced him to miss the final game of the first-round series against Oklahoma City.

Throughout his career, durability has been a major concern for Morant, who only appeared in nine games during the 2023/24 season due to the shoulder injury. He has never played more than 67 games in a season, and that total came as a rookie.

Morant was still an elite performer when he was healthy last season, posting 23.2 points, 7.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds in 30.4 minutes per night. The Grizzlies will rely on his scoring more than ever after sending longtime backcourt partner Desmond Bane to Orlando in an offseason trade.

Scotty Pippen Jr. figures to take over as the starting point guard until Morant can return. Pippen made 21 starts last season.