From a buzzer-beating high to a mic-drop low, the Memphis Grizzlies’ week flipped upside down in just 48 hours. The 2025-26 regular season has not unfolded the way the team imagined back in July, and Friday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers only underscored the issues.
After a 117–112 defeat on October 31, Memphis fell to 3–3, marking a flat start for a club that had talked about climbing the Western Conference standings. Ja Morant’s frustration was impossible to miss, and his pointed words after the game quickly became the main story.
What Did Ja Morant Say After the Loss Against the Los Angeles Lakers?
In the postgame interview, Morant was pressed about his rough night on the court. Instead of dissecting his shot selection or the team’s spacing, he repeatedly redirected responsibility toward the coaching staff.
His refrain became an array of answers like, “that’s something the coaches can explain.” When reporters followed up, his tone suggested a disagreement that went beyond a single game. “According to them, probably don’t play me, honestly… That’s basically what the message was. It’s cool,” said Morant during the postgame interview.
Ja Morant when asked questions from the media:
“Go ask the coaching staff.”
And then asked what could have been done differently, other than asking the coaching staff:
“According to them, probably don’t play me.”
(🎥 @50NuancesDeNBA)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 1, 2025
Morant’s comments landed with extra force because they followed a dramatic swing in his performance. Just two nights earlier against the Phoenix Suns, he played like a true closer, pouring in 28 points and sealing the victory with late-game heroics.
Against Los Angeles, however, he never found his rhythm, scoring just eight points on 3-of-14 shooting in 31 minutes. It was the kind of clunker that fuels talk-radio debates, especially given his solid but inconsistent start to the year. Through six games, he is averaging 20.8 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds on 40.6% shooting.
Adding to the sting, Luka DonÄŤić torched Memphis for 44 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in 39 minutes. The performance was harrowing because DonÄŤić had missed the previous three games with a left finger sprain and a lower leg contusion, only to return to the court and completely dominate the game. The contrast couldn’t have been starker.
MORE: NBA World Reacts To Ja Morant’s Performance In Lakers-Grizzlies Game
While Dončić delivered a heroic comeback, a fully healthy Morant appeared deflated and out of sync. It’s easy to see why comparisons were drawn after the game and why that might have fueled Morant’s frustration with his team’s system.
The game itself was a roller coaster. The Lakers nudged ahead by four after the first quarter, but Memphis surged in the second to build a 14-point lead by halftime. However, the second half flipped the script entirely, as Los Angeles poured in 62 points after the break, creating a wave the Grizzlies could not overcome.
So, where do the Grizzlies go from here? They visit the Toronto Raptors on November 3, which offers a chance for a reset. More importantly, it gives fans a chance to see how Morant responds on the floor after calling out his coaches.
