After losing Game 3 on Sunday, the Memphis Grizzlies are down 2-1 in the series against a strong and experienced opponent. Still, the team has other issues to worry about.
During the contest, star point guard Ja Morant went down with a knee injury he suffered on one particular play. As he was fighting for control of the ball, Jordan Poole swiped at Morant’s knee and seemingly caused some damage in the area.
In a now-deleted tweet, Morant called out Poole for “breaking the code.”
Ja Morant reacted to Jordan Poole grabbing his knee.
(via @JaMorant) pic.twitter.com/9XhvkPfYxG
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 8, 2022
It’s hard to say what Poole’s intention was here, but he denied any wrongdoing in the post-game press conference.
“It was a basketball play. We doubled him and I hit the ball, I was going for the ball. Obviously, you don’t wanna say anybody get hurt. I’m not even that type of player, I respect everybody. Hopefully, he gets better, and we can see him out there next game. But I don’t even play like that, for real. That’s not my type of game.”
“I was going for the ball. … I’m not even that type of player, I respect everybody. Hopefully he gets better, and we can see him out there next game.”
Jordan Poole on his incident with Ja Morant https://t.co/9rbDxEbzag
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 8, 2022
Klay Thompson also spoke up in Poole’s defense after the game.
“I’ve had a bad knee injury. Jordan had no malicious intent…He’s not out here clubbing people in the back of the head on fast breaks. We play the game the right way.”
“I’ve had a bad knee injury. Jordan had no malicious intent…He’s not out here clubbing people in the back of the head on fast breaks. We play the game the right way.”
Klay Thompson on Jordan Poole – Ja Morant incident 👀
(via @markhaynesnba) pic.twitter.com/klHKkZFI01
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 8, 2022
Nobody can speak on Poole’s mindset during the play except for Poole himself, and he was adamant that he wasn’t trying to intentionally hurt Morant.
Whatever you believe about it, the league will be looking into the incident and come to their own conclusion on the ordeal.
Regarding the series at hand, the Warriors are officially in control. Up 2-1, with Game 4 set to take place on their home floor, they will have a chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead over Memphis. If Ja is compromised, it will only help their chances to advance.
Monday night is, without a doubt, the most important game of the season for the Grizzlies.
