The Memphis Grizzlies have suspended star guard Ja Morant for one game, citing conduct detrimental to the team. As a result of the suspension, Morant will miss the Grizzlies’ game against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.
The team announced the suspension on Saturday, but did not provide additional details. However, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Memphis head coach Tuomas Iisalo challenged his leadership and effort after Friday’s tough loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Cup group stage, and that Morant responded with a disrespectful tone.
Morant finished with eight points after playing only 30 minutes of the five-point loss to the Lakers. When reporters tried to ask Morant questions about his individual performance, the guard repeatedly told the media to “go ask the coaching staff” about why he struggled.
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“Go ask him [Iisalo]. They had a whole spiel in here, so,” Morant said. After another, similar question about what could have been done differently, Morant added: “According to them, probably don’t play me, honestly. That’s what basically the message was, so … it’s cool.”
Iisalo is in his first full season as a head coach, and was brought in at the end of last year in part to optimize Morant’s performance. However, the relationship between the two appears to have become strained by some of the same behavior that has caused Morant trouble in the past.
Morant is only two years removed from his 25-game suspension for multiple incidents related to guns. The issues returned last season, as Morant was fined $75,000 by the NBA for a finger-gun celebration, and he debuted a grenade celebration a week later.
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Memphis is 3-3 in the regular season. After traveling to Toronto on Sunday, the Grizzlies will play a series of home games that will keep the team in Memphis through the week. Morant is expected to play in those games; rookie guard Javon Small is likely to fill in for him for the game he is suspended.