MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ja Morant did little to handle the friction that has boiled over between him and the Memphis Grizzlies in his return from a one-game suspension Monday.
Morant had 18 factors and 10 assists within the 114-106 loss to the Detroit Pistons, his first recreation since a team-imposed punishment on account of his actions in Memphis’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.
Lots of the star level guard’s solutions have been quick after Monday’s recreation, and concerned the theme of following the group’s assertion when the suspension was introduced.
“Y’all requested that query of them, huh?” he stated. “… So, y’all know the reply to that.”
In response to a query asking if Morant has his ordinary pleasure enjoying basketball, he stated: “No.”
Morant was within the Grizzlies’ locker room earlier than Monday’s recreation, however ignored reporters’ questions earlier than getting dressed for warmups and leaving with out saying a phrase.
Morant had solely eight factors in Friday’s loss to the Lakers and appeared disengaged in the course of the second half. Usually one of many league’s greatest finishers within the paint, Morant settled for jumpers, trying nearly as many 3-pointers as he did pictures within the lane.
Morant answered every query after that recreation with quite a lot of “go ask the teaching employees.” At one level, he was requested what the staff may do in another way, replying: “In line with them, most likely do not play me, actually. That is what principally the message was after. It is cool.”
There was little development in Morant’s feedback after Monday’s loss in comparison with Friday. He continued to refer again to the group’s assertion.
“Clearly, they can not go and inform y’all one thing I ain’t stated,” Morant replied to a query, later including: “If I did not have a very good relationship with [them], I would not speak to them in any respect.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.