Losing the first group stage game of the NBA Cup and dropping down to a 3-3 record is not fun. But Ja Morant’s reaction has social media divided on whether he should’ve said what he said.

One big test that all retired athletes face as first-time sports commentators is whether they will be critical of players when it is due. This weekend, after a strong NBA on Prime doubleheader, Blake Griffin passed it with flying colors.

The Memphis Grizzlies were 3-2 entering their Friday night Emirates NBA Cup matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers .. It turned into a rough night for the franchise as the Grizzlies suffered a 117-112 home loss. Memphis star Ja Morant had a disappointing eight-point outing before sharing his displeasure in postgame media comments.

Ja Morant left Wednesday’s win over the Lakers early due to a hamstring injury, though the issue didn’t appear to be too worrisome. The Grizzlies missed an alley-oop when he tried to throw down a dunk off a lob pass,

NBA analyst Shams Charania reported that the Grizzlies have suspended Ja Morant for one game due to “conduct detrimental to the team.”

Few point guards lift their teammates like Morant, a pick-and-roll maestro who is back in business. Plays like this, when he acts as if any of his teammates are physically capable of his own superhuman feats, are often a signal he’s in his comfort zone.

The Memphis Grizzlies enter the 2025-26 NBA season with a sense of cautious optimism. After an offseason focused on health, development, and subtle roster upgrades, the franchise has every reason to believe it can climb back into playoff contention.