Memphis Grizzlies Suspend Star for 1 Game
The Memphis Grizzlies have gotten off to a respectable start in the 2025-26 season, and a big reason for their success has been the play of point guard Ja Morant. With the team looking to be a contender in a loaded Western Conference, the team is needing to step up and get contributions from the team.
However, it appears the Memphis Grizzlies will be playing without one of their biggest stars due to a team decision. Let’s take a deeper dive into what we know and what it means going forward.
Memphis Grizzlies Suspend Ja Morant for 1 Game
The Memphis Grizzlies have suspended Ja Morant one game for conduct detrimental to the team, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. He would continnue that that it was due to coach Tuomas Iisalo challenging Morant’s leadership and effort after Friday’s game and Morant responded in a tone deemed inappropriate. The game he will miss is Sunday evening on the road against the Toronto Raptors.
Following the game, he was asked about his struggles in the game and he responded by telling the media to ask the coaching staff.
“According to them, probably don’t play me honestly. That’s basically what the message was. It’s cool.”
First-year coach Iisalo ended his postgame news conference before being asked about Morant’s comments. This is obviously not the first time that Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies have had issues, so it will be interesting to see how the two sides look going forward.
Morant is currently averaging a career-low 28.5 minutes per game this season. He is in the third season of a five-year, $197 million contract, so it will be intriguing to see if the Grizzlies want to send one of the more talented players somewhere else or if they will have to figure out how to smooth out the issues.
