Ja Morant, after spending his first seven NBA seasons making himself one of the Memphis Grizzlies’ most beloved players, is about to square off against his old squad for the very first time. He got traded to the Portland Trail Blazers this offseason, a move that came after a final year in Memphis where he was apparently at odds with the coaching staff. Now, with Thursday’s game looming, Morant is trying to tell everyone it’s no big deal.
“Not a Big Grudge Guy”? Seriously?
Morant is out here claiming he’s “not a big grudge guy,” telling The Athletic’s Jason Quick, “Nothing harsh from me for Memphis. At all.” He even said the game against the Grizzlies is “just another basketball game on the schedule.” Uh, *just* another game? The guy who spent seven years there, became a star, then had a whole falling out with the coaching staff? He even earned a one-game suspension last November for comments he made about former head coach Tuomas Iisalo, showing some clear “disdain” for the guy. Now he wants us to believe he’s “cool with everybody over there,” saying he has no hard feelings unless they have them with him. It’s a nice sentiment, sure, and he says he still keeps up with some of his old teammates and watches their games. But let’s be real: this is not just another game. The history is too deep, the split too fresh.
Blazers and Grizzlies Both Firing Out of the Gate
Here’s the kicker: both teams are absolutely cooking early in the season. Morant and his new Blazers are off to a perfect 3-0 start, and he’s putting up 16.3 points and 6.3 assists per game. Not bad for someone settling into a new system. But his old squad, the Grizzlies, isn’t missing a beat without him either. They are heading into Thursday’s contest with an even better record, sitting at a sparkling 4-0. This isn’t just a reunion game, it’s a clash of two undefeated teams.
So, Thursday’s game against the Grizzlies is set to be anything but “just another basketball game” for Morant. It’s a huge early-season test for both squads, a chance for Morant to make a statement, and a must-watch for anyone who loves some serious on-court drama. Get ready.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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