Ja Morant was tossed from the Memphis Grizzlies’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder while talking to fans sitting courtside.
Morant was ejected 43 seconds before the half in Saturday’s 115-109 loss. He was given a technical 11 seconds beforehand after fouling to stop play and complain about a no-call on a previous sequence. Morant was given a second technical while talking to a fan on the sideline.
Crew chief John Goble explained the first technical as “use of profanity directed at an official” and the second one being “for making a comment questioning the integrity of an official.” Goble claims the second tech was not related to Morant’s interaction with the fans. Referee Ray Acosta gave Morant both technical fouls.
Morant expressed his displeasure with the night’s officiating after the game.
“I got my first tech for saying I got hit in my f–king face. Didn’t curse at him,” Morant said. “Another situation where he’s in my conversation and I get another tech for talking with a fan. I feel like when these fans came here, went online to buy these tickets, they didn’t say Ray [Acosta’s] name to come watch.”
Morant only scored six points on the night shooting 3-of-10 before his ejection, which ultimately lead to the snapping of the Grizzlies’ seven-game win streak.
After the game, Morant had his father meet with the fans so he could face time them. Lisa, the fan he was speaking to when he was ejected, was wearing a Morant sweatshirt and is a “superfan” of his. She apologized to Morant for the ejection, which he wasn’t upset about.
“They came to support us,” Morant said about the interaction. “They came to watch us play. I don’t care about getting fined.