It’s been a rough weekend for Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant.
Just when fans thought he was finally past the controversies that have shadowed his career, the 25-year-old guard has once again landed in hot water — this time, not for his off-court behavior, but for what he said after a frustrating loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Frustration Boils Over After Loss to Lakers
After the Grizzlies’ 117-117 defeat to the Lakers in the NBA Cup, emotions were clearly running high in the locker room.
When reporters asked Morant what went wrong during the game, his patience snapped.
“Go ask the coaching staff,” he shot back, visibly annoyed. “They had a whole spiel in here, so…”
But that wasn’t all. When another reporter pressed for details about what the team could have done differently, Morant didn’t hold back.
“According to them, probably don’t play me,” he said with a hint of sarcasm. “That’s basically what the message was after.”
Team Responds with One-Game Suspension
It didn’t take long for the Grizzlies’ management to react.
By Saturday, the team announced Morant would serve a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
The decision is the latest in a growing list of disciplinary actions involving Morant, whose off-court controversies have often overshadowed his undeniable talent.
A History of Trouble Off the Court
Since being drafted second overall by Memphis in 2019, Morant has built a reputation as one of the most electrifying young players in the NBA — but also one of its most controversial.
Back in March 2023, he caused a firestorm after flashing a gun on Instagram Live while at a strip club in Colorado following a loss to the Denver Nuggets.
That incident led to an eight-game suspension and a stint in counseling.
Unfortunately, the lesson didn’t seem to stick. Just two months later, he was caught again waving a firearm during another Instagram Live — this time from inside a car.
The NBA hit him with a 25-game suspension, and commissioner Adam Silver called his behavior “reckless and irresponsible,” emphasizing that as a public figure, Morant is a role model to countless young fans.
Controversial Gestures and Public Scrutiny
Even after serving his suspension, Morant found himself back under scrutiny.
In late 2023, shortly after returning to the court, he sparked outrage with what many interpreted as a gun-related celebration after a dunk during an overtime win.
He repeated a similar gesture months later against the Golden State Warriors, prompting renewed calls for disciplinary action.
Though the NBA didn’t suspend him for those incidents, the league did issue an official warning.
What Comes Next for Ja Morant and the Grizzlies
For Memphis, this latest outburst couldn’t come at a worse time.
The team has been struggling to find consistency, and Morant’s suspension adds yet another distraction.
While fans continue to hope the young star can channel his energy and passion in a more constructive way, the pressure is now squarely on him to prove he’s learned from the past.
He may be one of the league’s most talented players, but as this latest episode shows, Ja Morant’s biggest opponent might not be anyone on the court — it might just be himself.