Ja Morant didn’t suit up against the Dallas Mavericks on November 22, but he still managed to become the biggest storyline of the night. As the Grizzlies edged out a 102-96 road win, cameras caught Morant jawing from the bench, stepping toward Klay Thompson after the buzzer, and triggering a minor postgame scene.
The moment sparked commentary across shows and timelines, especially from one former All-Star who has never been shy about calling Morant out.
Kenyon Martin Unloads on Ja Morant After Klay Thompson Incident
On Gil’s Arena, former NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin lit into Morant, accusing him of being fake tough during the confrontation with Thompson.
Martin, who has taken issue with Morant’s behavior in the past, didn’t hold back this time either.
“I wanna know when Ja became tough,” Martin said. “If you really want smoke with him, right? Why you don’t extend your arm all the way? Why you got the bend in the elbow to point in the face? You fake tough and you fake like you want smoke with the dude.”
Morant, currently sidelined with a calf strain, spent long stretches of the fourth quarter chirping at Dallas players from the sideline.
After the buzzer, he walked toward Thompson near midcourt, pointing at what Martin mocked as a “bent arm” in his face before staff and security separated everyone.
Thompson responded sharply afterward, telling reporters, “It was really just running his mouth, and he’s been running his mouth for a long time. It’s funny to run your mouth when you’re on the bench. It’s kind of the story of his career so far, just leaving us wanting more.”
Thompson had perhaps his most complete performance of the season with 22 points on 7-of-17 shooting, including six threes. But even that didn’t stop Morant from later crashing Cam Spencer’s postgame interview to say, “Tell him who the best shooter in the house was. It wasn’t bro from Golden State.”
Thompson, meanwhile, is trying to reinvent himself in Dallas, but the numbers so far have been tough: 10.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, putting him on track for the least productive season of his career.
Still, he walked out of the arena with a championship résumé in tow and with what felt like the last word in this exchange.
Morant, meanwhile, isn’t expected back until at least December 2, when the Grizzlies face the San Antonio Spurs. He suffered a calf strain on November 17 and was immediately ruled out for a minimum of two weeks.
The Grizzlies, now 6-12, could certainly use him on the floor more than on the bench, especially after nights where his presence on the courtside becomes the headline.
