The Memphis Grizzlies announced Saturday that Ja Morant has been suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Morant was called out by head coach Tuomas Iisalo after Friday night’s 117-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Morant finished with eight points and seven assists, shooting 3-of-14 from the field. There were a number of moments during the game where his energy level and effort were questionable, and after the game he seemed aggrieved while speaking with reporters.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Morant’s suspension will cost him $272,042.
Morant’s effort in the game—and his relationship with the coaching staff and organization—was a topic of conversation in the aftermath:
Morant played in 31 minutes on Friday, and Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal noted that the Grizzlies “have used short substitution patterns this season that can sometimes interrupt the flow of players. Pace has been prioritized over playing long stretches.”
It’s unclear if that contributed to Morant’s frustration with the coaching staff after the game.
Either way, it isn’t the sort of storyline the Grizzlies would want, especially after suspensions and injuries have defined recent seasons for Morant. The 26-year-old remains the face of the franchise and its biggest star, but he’s also three years removed from his last All-Star nod and Friday’s situation doesn’t generally happen when a star player and organization are on the same page.
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