Ja Morant missed his third straight game on Saturday with a calf strain, but he still became the focus of a post-game confrontation after the Grizzlies beat the Mavericks.
As ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported, Morant and Klay Thompson exchanged words on the court and had to be separated by coaches and security.
Morant then cut into Cam Spencer’s TV interview to add, “Tell ’em who the best shooter in the house was, it wasn’t bro from Golden State.”
When asked about Morant’s comments, Thompson dismissed them as “nothing of intelligent depth,” later adding, “He’s a funny guy. He has a lot to say all the time, especially for a guy who rarely takes accountability. … It was really just running his mouth … It’s kind of the story of his career so far, just leaving us wanting more.”
Both players are having down seasons statistically, with Morant shooting poorly and Thompson averaging just 10.1 points.
Thompson, nearing 36, has declined with age, while Morant – only 26 – has dealt with injuries and past suspensions tied to firearm-related social media videos.
Mavs guard hinted at that history, saying, “He’s just been letting a lot of other stuff get in the way … We need our best players to be out there … I hate to see that go to waste.”
Reflecting on past Warriors–Grizzlies battles, Thompson told The Athletic’s Christian Clark, “I do actually have a lot of respect for the Grind House,” praising earlier Memphis stars.
But of the current group, he said, “This new team, though? They just talk a lot … They’ve never really backed it up … I respect guys who back up the talk with play … talk is cheap.”
Klay Thompson and Ja Morant had some words for each other following the Grizzlies' victory over the Mavs. Read: https://t.co/wJpCC3PO9G
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) November 23, 2025
