Klay Thompson Responds to Ja Morant: Crossfire After Game

Klay Thompson Questions Ja Morant’s Actions

In the world of the NBA, rivalry and tension are constant ingredients. Recently, Klay Thompson, a Mavericks player, expressed his frustration towards Ja Morant, of the Grizzlies, after a match between both teams. Morant, who missed his third consecutive game due to an injury, had a verbal exchange with Thompson at the end of the game. The situation required the intervention of security personnel and coaches to prevent it from escalating. The tension between both players has been present since the 2022 playoffs, where Thompson and the Warriors eliminated the Grizzlies, on their way to their fourth NBA championship.

He’s a funny guy. He has a lot to say all the time, especially for a guy who rarely takes responsibility.

Klay Thompson

During the game, Thompson was involved in several confrontations with other Memphis players. He argued with Santi Aldama over a foul on Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg. Later, both Thompson and Vince Williams Jr. received technical fouls for exchanging words. Thompson’s harshest words were directed at Morant after the game. Morant, during the post-game interview, took the opportunity to take a shot at Thompson. Thompson described Morant’s comments as “without any intelligent depth.” He also alluded to the off-court issues, suspensions, and injuries that have affected Morant’s career.

I was really just talking to talk, and he’s been talking to talk for a long time. It’s funny to talk when you’re on the bench. It’s like the story of his career so far, just leaving us wanting more.

Klay Thompson

Morant has faced suspensions in the last three seasons. The NBA suspended him for eight games in 2022-23 and 25 games in 2023-24 for displaying weapons on Instagram live streams. The Grizzlies suspended him for one game for conduct detrimental to the team.

Morant, 26 years old, is having his worst statistical season, averaging 17.9 points per game. Thompson mentioned that Aldama’s absence reminded him of “dirty” actions the Grizzlies took during the 2022 playoff series against the Warriors. Thompson, 35, who has accepted a reserve role and has struggled this season, said he respects the “Grit ‘n Grind” era Grizzlies teams, but not the more recent Memphis players.

They just talk a lot. They’ve always talked a lot. And they never really backed it up either, so I don’t really respect that. I respect the guys who back up the talk with the game because talk is cheap.

Klay Thompson