Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has fueled his team’s rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers by bluntly expressing his dislike for the Lakers, following Memphis’ recent 131-114 victory over the Purple and Gold.
Morant’s candid remarks came after a game where the Grizzlies used accurate three-point shooting to overpower a Lakers squad missing Anthony Davis.
“I don’t like them, they knocked me out the playoffs,” Morant said postgame, referencing the Lakers’ 2023 playoff victory over the Grizzlies.
Last season, the Lakers eliminated Memphis in a contentious first-round series, which was filled with tension both on and off the court. The loss left a lasting impact on Morant, who described the Lakers’ behavior as “talking crazy” even as he sat out in street clothes due to injury.
In the recent matchup, the Grizzlies took control of the game, taking advantage of Davis’ absence. LeBron James led the Lakers with 39 points, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
Alongside Morant’s 20 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. and rookie Jaylen Wells each scored 20, propelling the Grizzlies to victory and improving their record to 5-4 for the season.
The game also brought challenges for Morant, who exited in the third quarter after sustaining a right hamstring injury. Nevertheless, his performance and vocal disdain for the Lakers spotlight the rivalry between the two teams that has intensified over the past few seasons.
The Grizzlies’ previous playoff series against the Lakers ended in six games, making Memphis one of the few higher-seeded teams to be upset by a seventh seed in recent NBA history.
