After doing relatively well throughout the season, the Memphis Grizzlies hold the eighth spot in the Western Conference, matched up against a heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA playoffs. The Grizzlies lost the first two games of this series without putting up a real fight and are now in a 0-3 hole after losing Game 3.
After an incident in Game 3 of the first-round matchup between the Grizzlies and Thunder, NBA fans want Luguentz Dort to be punished by the league after Ja Morant sustained an injury.
This series might have stayed alive if the Grizzlies had won, which might have happened if Morant had not been injured. Now, Grizzlies fans are very upset and have taken to social media to share their feelings.
NBA Fans Call Out Luguentz Dort After Ja Morant Is Set To Miss Game 4
NBA insider Shams Charania recently revealed that Morant’s injury has sidelined him for Game 4 of this series. The Grizzlies’ star had already been playing through an ankle injury and will have no choice but to miss the upcoming game.
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant will miss Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday due to a hip injury, sources tell ESPN. Morant played through a significant ankle sprain to clinch a playoff spot last week, then suffered a scary fall on his hip Thursday. pic.twitter.com/8i74mDuz08
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
If Morant cannot play, this season is already over for the Grizzlies. After all, no team has returned from being down 0-3, and the Grizzlies are not about to make history without a healthy Morant on the court.
The Grizzlies had a 27-point lead on the Thunder when Dort knocked over Morant in the air as the star guard went up for a shot in transition. One fan believes that he did so intentionally and should be suspended as a result: “Lu Dort should be suspended.”
“People like Lu dort should be investigated by the league,” said another fan
People like Lu dort should be investigated by the league
— H̷y̷a̷t̷t̷ (@hyattwatcher)
While there is no getting around the fact that Dort engaged in a risky play, it is important to remember that he appeared to slip while trying to guard the fast break. That minor slip might have led to him pushing the Grizzlies star with more force than intended. Thus, some fans also came to his defense and pointed out that his actions do not warrant a suspension.
“No point. Grizz are cooked,” said another user on X.
No point. Grizz are cooked.
— Joshua Fontanilla (@joshfontanilla)
Thunder fans added to the tension, saying a Dort suspension wouldn’t matter with Memphis down 0-3 anyway. They might be right, but it’s also fair to question whether the series would’ve gotten to this point if Morant hadn’t gone down.
Comebacks are more common in today’s NBA, but it’s tough to imagine OKC rallying from a 27-point hole on the road if Morant had stayed in.
Grizzlies fans know that, and they’ve put the blame squarely on Dort. Even though Dort was whistled for the foul and has shown remorse, that hasn’t calmed the anger. Either way, Memphis now faces a must-win Game 4 without its franchise player.
