The Memphis Grizzlies pulled off a much-needed 131-114 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, improving their record to 5-5 and helping them climb to the No. 9 seed by relegating the Lakers to No. 10 right now. Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant opened up on the matchup and shared the reason behind his dislike for the Lakers in his post-game interview.
“I don’t like ’em. They knocked me out of the playoffs and then last year, we had a game and they came in here and beat us on our home floor when I was in street clothes. I wasn’t tonight… I didn’t get to play last year, they were laughing, playing, looking at me, and talking. I was in street clothes, this was my first opportunity to play against them.”
Morant also elaborated on his taunt exchange with LeBron James, which saw both the guard and the Lakers forward hit ‘too small’ taunts during the game.
“I think I did the too small to somebody and then he came back and did it respectfully. He’s 6’8″, I would’ve expected it, though I thought that was a charge. He did it and I don’t back down from nobody, don’t care who you are. My job was to just come back and I got my bucket. Just set the tone for my teammates, they fed off it, and you see the results. Top dawg in our league. You take out the top dawg, who else you fear? I don’t fear nobody anyway.”
Ja Morant had some thoughts on the LeBron interaction and separately the LA Lakers tonight.
"Top dawg in our league. You take out the top dawg, who else you fear?"
"I don't like 'em. They knocked me out of the playoffs." pic.twitter.com/uqMf5NAm4B
— Avery Braxton (@Brax_Avery) November 7, 2024
Morant put up 20 points (7-17 FG), four rebounds, and five assists in this clash. He didn’t have a stellar outing but he did enough to motivate his teammates into performing at the highest level.
The Grizzlies had two more players score 20 points alongside Morant with Jaren Jackson Jr. (8-13 FG), and rookie Jaylen Wells (7-10 FG) reaching the mark. Four Grizzlies scored over 10 points, with Jake LaRavia (13 PTS, 8 AST), Santi Aldama (11 PTS, 12 REB), Scotty Pippen Jr (14 PTS), and Jay Huff (11 PTS) going off as well.
LeBron outplayed Morant individually with his 39 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, but had to take the loss home to LA with him. Despite the tense moments on the court, LeBron expressed positivity towards Morant for his contributions to the league right now.
“The energy alone, the inspiration that he gives to the younger generation alone was huge for our league and it’s great to have him back out there for sure.”
LeBron on Ja:
"The energy alone, the inspiration that he gives to the younger generation alone was huge for our league and it's great to have him back out there for sure" pic.twitter.com/vujoEkwIai
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) November 7, 2024
The Lakers will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday as the first of a three-game homestand after going 1-4 in their latest road trip. The Grizzlies will host the Washington Wizards on Friday before going on a three-game road trip that includes a rematch against the Lakers on November 13.
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