In a heated exchange following the Memphis Grizzlies’ 102-96 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on March 2, 2024, Klay Thompson publicly addressed Ja Morant’s postgame comments, expressing frustration with the young star’s persistent trash talk. Morant, who has missed three consecutive games due to a calf strain, confronted Thompson immediately after the final buzzer, prompting intervention from security personnel and coaches to prevent further escalation.
Tension Between Players Continues
The animosity between the two players has been building since the 2022 playoffs, when Thompson’s Golden State Warriors eliminated the Grizzlies, leading to Thompson earning his fourth NBA championship ring. After their confrontation, Morant took a moment during a broadcast interview with Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer to taunt Thompson, who scored a season-high 22 points but missed a critical three-point shot with just over 20 seconds remaining. “Tell him who the best shooter in the house was,” Morant remarked, suggesting that it was “not bruh from Golden State.”
Thompson did not hold back in his response, labeling Morant’s comments as “nothing of intelligent depth.” He pointed out that Morant’s career has been marred by off-court issues, suspensions, and injuries since his All-Star appearances in 2022 and 2023. “It was really just running his mouth, and he’s been running his mouth for a long time,” Thompson said. He emphasized the importance of accountability, particularly for a player of Morant’s caliber.
Confrontations on the Court
During the game, Thompson found himself involved in multiple confrontations with Grizzlies players, including a notable exchange with forward Santi Aldama. This incident occurred when Aldama tripped Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, which was later upgraded to a flagrant foul after review. The tension escalated further as Thompson and Grizzlies wing Vince Williams Jr. received technical fouls following their heated exchange.
Reflecting on the physicality and trash talk from the Grizzlies, Thompson drew comparisons to previous playoff encounters, specifically recalling a flagrant foul by ex-Memphis forward Dillon Brooks that resulted in a broken elbow for Warriors player Gary Payton II. “They just talk a lot,” Thompson stated. “They’ve always talked a lot. And never really backed it up either, so I don’t really respect that.” He added that players should earn respect through their performance, not just their words.
Morant’s recent struggles have been notable, as he faces his worst statistical season to date, averaging 17.9 points while shooting 35.9% from the field and a dismal 16.7% from three-point range. His career has faced challenges, including two suspensions in the past three seasons for conduct related to firearm incidents and a one-game suspension earlier this season for issues with team management. Thompson expressed disappointment over Morant’s situation, stating, “We need our best players to be out there, and when you’re a star, it comes with a great responsibility. I hate to see that go to waste.”
As the NBA season progresses, the rivalry between Thompson and Morant is likely to intensify, with fans eagerly anticipating their next matchup on the court.
