Grizzlies suspend Morant for conduct detrimental (0:46)Grizzlies suspend Morant for conduct detrimental to the team. (0:46)
The Memphis Grizzlies suspended star point guard Ja Morant on Saturday for one game because of conduct detrimental to the team.
The suspension comes as a result of first-year Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo challenging Morant’s leadership and effort in a postgame exchange after Friday night’s 117-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers — to which Morant responded in a tone deemed inappropriate and dismissive, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania. The confrontation happened in front of the team, sources said.
Morant was held to a season-low eight points — going 3-of-14 from the field — and seven assists and was terse when asked what he noticed in the game.
“According to [the coaching staff], probably don’t play me, honestly,” Morant said. “That’s basically what the message was. It’s cool.”
He was also fined $75,000 last season for an aiming-a-gun gesture to celebrate making 3-pointers. The league called the gesture “inappropriate,” adding that “Morant was previously warned by the league office that this gesture could be interpreted in a negative light.”
Grizzlies suspend Morant for conduct detrimental (0:46)Grizzlies suspend Morant for conduct detrimental to the team. (0:46)
The Grizzlies next play the Raptors in Toronto on Sunday.
Grizzlies suspend Morant for conduct detrimental to the team. (0:46)