The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 112-100 for their first NBA win of the season. This game marked the end of a six-game losing streak for the Grizzlies and proved their grit and determination to turn their season around.
The team had been struggling during the absence of JaMorent, and fans were eager for his return. However, Morente's suspension for violating gun laws overshadowed their hopes for redemption.
Sportswriter Stephen A. Smith has lashed out at Morant's suspension, criticizing his actions for contributing to Morant's absence and the team's woes.
Stephen A. Smith Criticizes Ja Morant's Behavior
Smith blamed the main reason for Morant's 25-game suspension on the fact that he carried a revolver twice on Instagram Live. Although Morant had previously been suspended for eight games, NBA officials decided to impose a harsher penalty for the second offense.
Smith used his X (formerly Twitter) account to express his displeasure with Morant's behavior, saying, "If Ja Morant was on the court, we wouldn't be thinking about them like this." He also added, "Did he leave the court because he was injured? Did he leave the field because of some family emergency or some tragedy? No, he left the field because he wasn't looking out for his teammates while he was on the field."
Smith went on to say, "So how is he doing now? It's OK to love someone and be mad at them for getting in your way". He questioned how ironic it is that the team with star player Ja Morant is the only winless team in the NBA.
Grizzlies make a comeback
Despite Morant's absence, the Grizzlies beat the Blazers for a much-needed victory. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bain stepped up with 27 and 30 points respectively. Bain received special recognition for his 18 feet of key shots.
With Morant back, the Grizzlies hope they can continue their momentum and turn their season around. Their recent win over the Trail Blazers showed that it is possible for them to do just that. However, the NBA is a competitive league and they will need to consistently play their best basketball in order to make a major turnaround.
