The question is not yet finished before his answer bursts out: “ I don’t like them. » The hostility of Ja Morant towards the Lakers, against whom Memphis won last night, is linked to the first round of the 2023 playoffs during which the Californians eliminated the Grizzlies (4-2), after a last victory of 40 points.
And then there was the end of last season, when the Lakers twice came to win in Tennessee, while the local star was on the sidelines. We remember that during one of these matches, LeBron James scored a big dunk to seal the victory on the counterattack. From his bench, Ja Morant then pushed the King who walked away, displaying a big smile.
« They came and beat us on our field, they were laughing, playing, talking while looking at me. My message was that I was in street clothes », Notes the playmaker, who faced the Lakers for the first time since his return from injury.
The message was conveyed well at the end of the first period last night, with an exchange of “too small” gestures. “ I made the ‘too small’ gesture in front of someone who was », begins by describing the Grizzlies player, in reference to his left-handed shot despite Gabe Vincent’s foul.
LeBron James did the same on the next possession, in the post against Ja Morant. “ He responded and did so as well. He’s 2.06 meters or whatever, I expected that. I was thinking about the offensive foul. »
Desmond Bane rooms the “old”
We could have left it there, but a few seconds later, Ja Morant finished in the opposing circle and approached LeBron James for a pusher in the back, punished with a technical foul.
« I don’t back down from anyone. I don’t care who you are. I put my basket on and set the tone. My teammates fed off it and you see what happened », Continues Ja Morant, whose teammate Desmond Bane had already heated up with LeBron James in the past.
In civilian clothes this night, Desmond Bane took the liberty of putting on a little more. “ You all saw the way he snatched the ball from the old man! », Sent the back into the locker room, in reference to Scotty Pippen Jr.’s interception five minutes from the end of the match in front of LeBron James.
Which did not prevent the latter from finishing as top scorer (39 points) in a match where he seemed very alone. “ He is one of the leaders in the league. Once removed, who else to be afraid of? “, concludes Ja Morant.
| Ja Morant | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | To | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | MEM | 67 | 31 | 47.7 | 33.5 | 77.6 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 7.3 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 17.8 |
| 2020-21 | MEM | 63 | 33 | 44.9 | 30.3 | 72.8 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 7.4 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 19.1 |
| 2021-22 | MEM | 57 | 33 | 49.3 | 34.4 | 76.1 | 1.4 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 27.4 |
| 2022-23 | MEM | 61 | 32 | 46.6 | 30.7 | 74.8 | 1.0 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 8.1 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 26.2 |
| 2023-24 | MEM | 9 | 35 | 47.1 | 27.5 | 81.3 | 0.7 | 4.9 | 5.6 | 8.1 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 25.1 |
| 2024-25 | MEM | 8 | 28 | 44.8 | 25.8 | 83.3 | 0.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 9.1 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 4.2 | 0.2 | 20.6 |
| Total | 265 | 32 | 47.1 | 31.7 | 75.7 | 1.0 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 7.5 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 22.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
