Grizzlies star Ja Morant ejected after talking with courtside fan during Thunder game
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant was ejected from their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night after he was seen talking to a fan sitting courtside at the Paycom Center.
In the final minute of the second quarter in Oklahoma City, Morant suddenly received two technicals and was ejected, which sparked quite a confusing sequence on the floor. Grizzlies players and coaches immediately questioned the officials, as it was not really clear what Morant had done wrong.
Replay showed Morant wasn’t talking to the official behind him, and his conversation with the fan wasn't extraordinary.
Morant eventually walked off the court, and flashed a heart sign and a thumbs up toward the fan — so clearly, he didn't take anything personally.
Ja Morant was EJECTED from tonight's game for talking to a fan...pic.twitter.com/rYczzAIQ2V
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 18, 2022
Dillon Brooks received a technical foul during the incident, too.
The fan seemed just as confused as everyone else, too. Lisa, the spectator in question, was wearing a Morant sweatshirt, and is a "Ja Morant superfan" who lives in the area. Morant's dad actually walked out to find Lisa after with Morant on FaceTime so that he could speak with her, too. Clearly, Morant wasn't upset with her.
After the ejection, Ja Morant’s dad brought over his phone so Lisa could FaceTime with Ja.
Lisa told Ja how awful she felt. Ja, not at all upset with her, said “it’s all good.”— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) December 18, 2022
Hilarious video.
Ja Morant got kicked out of the game in OKC for talking to a fan. The fan seemingly didn’t think Ja should’ve been ejected. Next thing you know, Ja is on FaceTime (via his dad’s phone) smiling and talking to the fan from the locker room.pic.twitter.com/w2Z2QnrekH— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) December 18, 2022
Morant finished the night with 6 points and five rebounds in 16 minutes.
Officials said after that Morant was ejected for "use of profanity directed at an official" and for "questioning the integrity of the officials." When asked about Morant speaking with the fan and not the officials, crew chief John Goble said the conversation had nothing to do with Morant's ejection.
The Grizzlies, who had won seven straight headed into Saturday night, trailed the Thunder 64-43 at halftime. While they cut the game to single digits late, their comeback fell just short. The Thunder held on to take a 115-109 win behind 24 points and seven rebounds from Luguentz Dort and a career-high 23 points from Isaiah Joe.