Late Monday, following the Grizzlies’ third straight loss, Ja Morant was asked a question: Do you have your usual joy? Morant, fresh off a one-game suspension for a locker room clash with Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo, who took exception to Morant sleepwalking through last Friday’s loss to the Lakers, was succinct: “No,” Morant said. Could he get it back? Said Morant, “We’ll see.”
Memphis has a problem. The Morant situation is bad, and over the last few days it has gotten worse. Morant’s numbers in the Grizzlies’ loss to the Pistons on Monday were O.K.: 18 points, 10 assists and five rebounds. But in the fourth quarter, Morant scored four points. He attempted two shots. A player once able to take over games has suddenly disengaged in them.
