Ja Morant Suspended Again: What Happened This Time?
The Memphis Grizzlies have suspended point guard Ja Morant once again. Yes, again. While this time it’s only for one game, the very fact that this sentence sounds routine speaks volumes about the ongoing saga surrounding the talented but troubled star.
The Latest Incident: Post-Game Outburst
Following Memphis’s 112-117 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, a frustrated Morant gave a revealing post-game interview in the locker room. The point guard had delivered a subpar performance, scoring just 8 points on 3-of-14 shooting from the field.
But what seemed to bother him most was his playing time: just 31 minutes. When journalists asked if he could have played differently, Morant snapped: “Ask the coaches.” He gave identical brief answers to questions about his energy on the court and his limited minutes.
Targeting the Coaching Staff
When a reporter pressed about what needed to be done differently, Morant continued his attack on the coaching staff, though with slightly more detail.
“According to their vision, probably they shouldn’t have played me at all. Basically, that was the point of the message, so everything’s fine,” Morant stated.
During the game itself, Morant appeared disengaged at times, even stepping several feet away from the bench during a second-half timeout. Overall, the player failed to show the commitment and energy fans have come to expect from him.
Expert Criticism: Former NBA Star Weighs In
Former NBA star Blake Griffin, now working as a television analyst, didn’t hold back in his assessment of Morant’s performance.
“His main weapon is his speed. But after receiving a screen, he so lazily passes the ball and just as lazily moves to the corner – that’s not what will help Memphis get results. On the next possession, he just stood in the corner, not really involved in the game, to the point where he was almost chatting with Marcus Smart. This is a very bad sign for a man who earns $40 million, who should be the team’s leader,” Griffin noted.
The Consequences: One-Game Suspension
Following his outburst, Morant received a one-game suspension with salary deduction. He will lose $272,000 as a result.
NBA insider Shams Charania reported: “The suspension occurred because Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo questioned Morant’s leadership qualities and effort in post-game comments after the loss to the Lakers on Friday night, to which Morant responded in a tone that the coach deemed inappropriate, sources said.”
A Pattern of Behavior
Morant’s suspensions and controversies are becoming familiar territory. Two years ago, he received an 8-game ban for flashing a gun during a social media livestream. Later, he earned another 25-game suspension when it became clear he hadn’t learned his lesson and repeated the same weapon-displaying behavior.
This situation differs from previous incidents, however. Previously, Morant hadn’t openly spoken negatively about his own team. Still, insiders had hinted at the guard’s dissatisfaction last season when former head coach Taylor Jenkins began using him less in offensive schemes.
New Coach, Same Problems
New head coach Tuomas Iisalo arrived shortly before the playoffs began. Under Iisalo, the point guard is playing the fewest minutes of his career – just 28.5 per game. Interestingly, under the Finnish coach, no basketball player averages more than half a game’s playing time, suggesting a different coaching philosophy might be at play.
The Memphis front office has also expressed frustration with the player’s behavior, adding another layer to this ongoing drama between the franchise star and the organization that pays him $40 million annually to be their leader.
