Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant dislikes a few NBA teams, but there’s one in particular that really grinds his gears: the Los Angeles Lakers. The two-time All-Star guard cannot seem to let go of his team’s first-round series loss to the Purple and Gold during the 2023 playoffs.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant recalls his team’s 2023 first-round series loss against the Los Angeles Lakers
Morant, 25, was also standing on the bench injured last season while LeBron James scored in double figures across multiple matchups. These bad memories only fueled his 20-point outing in Wednesday night’s 131-114 blowout victory over the Lakers at FedExForum.
James led Los Angeles with 39 points, while Austin Reaves added 19 despite going 2-for-9 shooting from 3-point range. Morant finished 7-of-17 shooting from the field to go with two 3-pointers.
Ja Morant makes his feelings on the Lakers very clear:
"I don't like them."
The playoff loss two years ago is part of it, but also going back to the regular season last year.
"Beat us on our home floor. They was laughing, playing…My message was I was in street clothes." pic.twitter.com/ZZP5G8EUCu
— Matt Infield (@Matt_Infield) November 7, 2024
Morant reportedly left in the third quarter with a right hamstring injury. Following the matchup, the six-year veteran gave a blunt response when asked how he felt about the Lakers.
“I don’t like them,” Morant said. “They knocked me out the playoffs, and then last year, they were talking crazy while I was in street clothes… not tonight though.”
Morant was issued a technical foul for bumping LeBron James in the back
At one point when the Grizzlies had possession, Morant scored and headed in the direction of James and bumped him in the back. He was issued a technical foul on the play.
“I don’t back down from nobody,” the Murray State product said. “I don’t care who you are. My job was to come back. I got my bucket, and I set the tone. My teammates fed off of it, and you see what happened.”
Ja Morant just bumps into LeBron James and showed him up after bucket 🔥 pic.twitter.com/H1IKLTzUdZ
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) November 7, 2024
Through eight games this season, Morant is shooting 20.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, a career-high 9.1 assists, and 27.9 minutes per contest while shooting 44.8% from the field, a career-low 25.8% from 3-point range, and a career-best 83.3% at the foul line.
The Grizzlies visit the Lakers next Wednesday, Nov. 13, and host the team again on Saturday, March 29.
