Ja Morant's Effort Criticized by Blake Griffin After Grizzlies' Loss to Lakers

Key Points:

Ja Morant was called out by Blake Griffin

The Grizzlies took a loss in Memphis

Morant’s comments on his coach raised eyebrows

The Memphis Grizzlies fell to 3-3 on the season after their 117-112 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, a game that included an uncharacteristically bad performance by star guard Ja Morant.

Morant scored just eight points on the night in 31 minutes as the Grizzlies’ scintillating 42-point second quarter was rendered meaningless in the second half.

Morant was shown in game action looking disinterested and lax, raising the eyebrows of former Clippers star and high flyer Blake Griffin, who took Morant to task for his effort after the game.

Oct 31, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots for three as Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht (4) defends during the third quarter at FedExForum. Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Griffin Gives Harsh Morant Critique

Griffin was asked what he saw from Morant and didn’t hesitate to share his thoughts.

“I didn’t love what I saw from Ja Morant tonight,” Griffin said. “I mean this is a guy who’s insanely talented…Speed is his number one weapon.

“And coming off a ball screen, passing the ball like this, kind of lazily cutting to the corner, that’s just not what’s gonna get it done for Memphis,” Griffin said.

He said Morant was “not even really engaged at all,” and “almost having a conversation with Marcus Smart,” Griffin added as Amazon Prime’s NBA crew showed the Morant lowlights on its Friday night show.

Morant’s Cold Shooting Continues

The Grizzlies’ star guard has shot under 40 percent from the field in four of his last five games with coach Tuomas Iisalo’s team.

Morant said to “go ask the coaching staff” after he was asked about the team’s second half collapse.

The Grizzlies have a long road ahead of them in a rapidly shifting Western Conference and Morant has an enormous amount of pressure on his shoulders to carry the team in a land of giants.

The Grizzlies will take on the Raptors tomorrow at 6 p.m. ET followed by a trip to Detroit to face J.B. Bickerstaff’s Detroit Pistons, two chances for Morant and company to get back on the winning track with a long season ahead of them and the eyes of the media watching with fervent interest.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Nov 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Ja Morant’s Effort Criticized by Blake Griffin After Grizzlies’ Loss to Lakers

Tags: