Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies are tearing up the league this season. The Grizzlies are on top of the Western Conference and have an 8-2 run in the league. They would’ve gone up 9-1 if the officials didn’t take things too personally last night. With barely a minute left on the clock in the second quarter, Morant was ejected from the game with a second technical foul called by the referee.
The Grizzlies’ star was ejected from the game after receiving a bizarre technical foul. Morant was talking to a fan sitting courtside, to which the official standing nearby, Ray Acosta called in a second technical for Morant.
The call was contested by the players who pleaded that Morant was merely talking to a superfan named Lisa. The ejection was explained by the crew chief after the game. He said that the technical foul was given for a comment that, “questioned the integrity of the officials.”
The Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins refused to comment on the explanation given by the officials saying, “I’ll keep that private. Thunder played great, we just didn’t make enough shots tonight. They played well.”
It was for sure a case of an official getting his feelings hurt by the comments of the Grizzlies guard. Nevertheless, the Grizzlies are on a hot run of form, and the Thunder can consider themselves lucky to come out winners to say nonetheless.
What did Lisa say to Ja Morant?
Lisa is a Morant fan and came to see her favorite player. The Grizzlies were down 21 points to the Thunder and the fan sitting courtside had a chance to have a conversation with Morant. Lisa said, “let’s go,” to which according to Lisa, Ja said, “He was just like, he can’t do much because [the refs] missed a call.”
The ref nearby heard this, and immediately called a technical on him. Many fans were upset with the call and took to Twitter.
They really need to investigate the nba refs. This ref must’ve had a bet against the Grizzlies otherwise there’s no explanation for this kind of call on Ja. This is a joke. He was having a friendly convo with a Grizzlies fan
— EuroSac (@durul_drew61) December 18, 2022
It does not appear Ja Morant agrees with his ejection pic.twitter.com/ZLv9seinFk
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) December 18, 2022
Refs are sensitive now
— William (@netsdickrider) December 18, 2022
The NBA is getting to such a ridiculous level of political correctness that is embarrassing and treats adults like children
— jpsb (@jpostigosb) December 18, 2022
I don’t blame Ms. Lisa. Refs get so upset about everything.
— Samuel Wlodawski (@samwlodawski) December 18, 2022
The refs tonight pic.twitter.com/62xPNKZhmL
— Yankees (@420LuvNYC) December 18, 2022
@NBAOfficial pic.twitter.com/nbj7BR8g7o
— B (@Brian_Chinnici) December 18, 2022
Oh please!!! Players cuss at refs on the daily, ie Draymond Green and it’s ignored… if the referee got his feelings hurt that easily, he shouldn’t be allowed to ref a PROFESSIONAL game as it causes him to make emotional calls… send him back to the G League…
— Bailey (@B_Mac1245) December 18, 2022
When asked whether the technical foul was given for having a conversation with the fan in the crowd, the crew chief answered, “No”. Ja was in disbelief after the call. Ja got his 2nd ejection from the game in just 2 weeks. His last ejection was on 30th November 2022. Morant also received a fine of $35,000 USD for use of inappropriate language with the official.
Who is Lisa?
Lisa is not in any way related to Ja. She is merely a Morant fan and had come to support the Grizzlies superstar. Ja’s father, Tee Morant was kind enough for the fan to have a conversation with her hero. Tee Morant bought his phone for the fan so she could have FaceTime with Ja.
This gesture from Ja’s father was too heartwarming for the fans after Lisa admitted feeling sad about the conversation with Ja. She was blaming herself and felt guilty for getting him ejected. Ja tried convincing the fan that it wasn’t her fault, further winning the hearts of the fans. Needless to say, this conversation must be a wonderful memory for Lisa.
Discussion about this post