NBA Breaks Silence on Ja Morant’s Ejection in Grizzlies vs. Kings Game

The NBA has officially addressed Ja Morant’s ejection during the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Sacramento Kings game on Thursday night, providing clarity on the incident through a Pool Report. The Grizzlies secured a hard-fought 115-110 victory over the Kings, marking their 15th win of the season and avoiding a potential two-game losing streak. However, the win came with some controversy as Morant, the team’s star guard, was ejected in the final quarter after an exchange with the officials.

Ja Morant’s Ejection: The Details

The ejection occurred with just a few minutes left in the game, following two technical fouls assessed to Ja Morant. The first technical was given after an interaction with a referee, and the second came shortly after, resulting in Morant being sent to the locker room early. Morant’s frustration was triggered by a foul call on DeMar DeRozan of the Kings.

Despite the ejection, Morant had put up decent numbers in the game, contributing eight points, seven assists, and three rebounds in 28 minutes of action. His early exit did not prevent the Grizzlies from holding on to their lead and securing the win.

NBA Explains the Ejection: Pool Report Details

Following the incident, the NBA released a Pool Report, providing insight into the reasoning behind the ejection. Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal conducted the report, speaking with Pat Fraher, the crew chief for the game.

First Technical Foul Explanation

Cole began by asking Fraher about the first technical foul assessed to Morant. Fraher explained that the call was made after Morant used profanity toward an official during an out-of-bounds play with 8:07 remaining in the fourth quarter. Fraher stated, “Morant points and uses profanity towards an official,” which led to the first technical.

Foul on DeRozan: A Review of the Call

The next question centered on the foul Morant was called for on DeMar DeRozan, which directly led to his ejection. Fraher explained that the initial call was made in real-time, with the official believing that Morant had bumped DeRozan while he was in the air for a jump shot. However, after reviewing the play postgame, it was determined that Morant was in a legal guarding position, meaning the foul should not have been called.

Second Technical Foul and Ejection

The second technical foul came shortly after, as Morant headed to the bench. Fraher clarified that Morant was ejected for using multiple points and profanity directed at the officials as he walked off the court. The official’s report stated, “As Morant walked to the bench, he used multiple points and profanity towards an official.”

Looking Ahead: Morant’s Return

Despite the ejection, Ja Morant will be eligible to return to action on Saturday when the Grizzlies face a tough road matchup against the Boston Celtics. The Grizzlies will be looking to build on their recent win, but they’ll need to avoid further disciplinary issues from their star player as they prepare for this challenging game.