What's Going On With Ja Morant And The Grizzlies Coaching Staff?

Ja Morant is making headlines in the early goings of this season. The problem is, it’s the wrong type of headlines.

Last Friday, the Memphis Grizzlies lost 117–112 to the LA Lakers. Despite leading 59–68 at halftime, the Grizzlies allowed the Lakers to score 62 points in the second half while sputtering on the offensive end. After the game, Morant was asked a simple question: What went wrong in that game?

“Go ask the coaching staff,” Morant said as he tried to keep a stoic face.

As reporters continued to ask questions, it became clear that the two-time All-Star would be giving no other response other than sarcastically deferring to the Memphis coaches. Morant did switch things up a bit when a reporter asked what the team could have done to achieve a different outcome. “Probably don’t play me,” he said.

The lack of substantial answers was a major red flag for Morant, who finished with eight points, one rebound, and seven assists in that five-point loss. Though the star guard contributed his fair share when it comes to playmaking, he was anything but efficient with his own shots, going 3-for-14 from the field.

The opening salvo would soon be followed by the bombshell. Just hours after the bizarre post-game interview, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Grizzlies had suspended Morant for one game. The reason cited? Conduct detrimental to the team.

Charania then revealed that, as per his sources, Morant had been called out by Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo after the loss to the Lakers. Specifically, Iisalo questioned the “leadership” and the “effort” of the seven-year veteran. Morant, however, was said to have responded to his coach “in a tone deemed inappropriate.”

Prior to the Sunday night game between the Grizzlies and the Toronto Raptors, the same matchup that Morant would be missing due to his suspension, Iisalo spoke on behalf of the Memphis front office.

“The organization made a decision that aligns with our standards,” Iisalo said in the pre-game media session. “We look forward to Ja rejoining the team.”

On the surface, the situation looks simple: Player commits offense, team serves sanction, player serves sanction, and returns to action. Morant’s dynamic with the Grizzlies, however, has been anything but simple over the past few seasons. From missed time because of injuries to shenanigans involving gun charges, the 26-year-old star has been an explosive keg who has both helped and hurt the Grizzlies’ playoff aspirations.

Now, Morant has run into his first major rift with Iisalo, who took over as head coach just eight months ago. Will this also be the last straw for the Grizzlies organization? Most certainly, that is not something that can be answered by just asking the coaching staff.