Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant had little to say after returning from suspension

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant was short with the media after returning to the court Monday night from his one-game suspension for what the Grizzlies considered conduct detrimental to the team.

In the 114-106 loss to the Detroit Pistons, Morant scored 18 points and recorded 10 assists in his first game back after facing disciplinary action for his behavior during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. In that Lakers game, Morant only managed eight points, seven assists, and shot 3-of-14 from the field. The suspension followed first-year coach Tuomas Iisalo’s concerns about Morant’s leadership and effort during the game, as he deemed Morant’s demeanor to be inappropriate and dismissive.

Advertisement

When Morant was asked if he still felt joy while playing basketball, he bluntly responded with “No” and appeared irritated by the question. When inquiries about the organization were made, Morant had little to say.

“Obviously, they can’t go and tell y’all something I ain’t said,” Morant said to reporters. “If I didn’t have a good relationship with them, I wouldn’t talk to them at all.”

More: Spurs rookie Dylan Harper could miss multiple weeks with calf strain

1 / 8

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.

1 / 8

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.

2 / 8

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 26: The Washington Wizards’ Cam Whitmore dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena.

3 / 8

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

4 / 8

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 25: The Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns’ Grayson Allen at Ball Arena.

5 / 8

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 24: The Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. dunks against the Miami Heat at FedExForum.

6 / 8

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 24: The Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo dunks over the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. at FedExForum.

7 / 8

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 22: The New York Knicks’ OG Anunoby goes up for a reverse dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.

8 / 8

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

Oct. 22: The Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers at Delta Center.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Grizzlies’ Ja Morant blunt after returning from one-game suspension