Memphis looked horrible in game one of its first round series versus Oklahoma City.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did not play well for the Thunder, but the team rallied together for a 51-point (131-80) blowout victory over the Grizzlies to take game one. Game two is set for Tuesday in OKC and Ja Morant told reporters that Memphis ‘will never play that bad’ again. Morant had 17 points on six-of-17 shooting from the field, but it was a sideline moment that created stir.
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The talented guard was seen smiling on the bench in the difficult loss. NBA media pundits know he’s a star, but one personality called him out. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said people are not trying to see Morant smiling during a painful loss.
“You do not want to see the superstar for your team on the bench losing by 50 with a smile on his face.”@stephenasmith doesn’t think this is a good look for Ja Morant in the midst of the Grizzlies’ 51-point loss to the Thunder. pic.twitter.com/AH7erNlI9J
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 21, 2025
“You do not want to see the superstar for your team on the bench losing by 50 with a smile on his face,” Smith said.
“I know the brother is an elite competitor, I know he’s a star, but people don’t want to see you laughing while you are getting your a** kicked like that. You want to see somebody ticked off, especially if you are a fan because you are emotionally invested. At that particular moment, it provides you a question of is that cat emotionally invested? You got vacation plans already? Because you know that a** kicking that Oklahoma City gave you it has no signs of letting up.”
Ja Morant vows Grizzlies ‘will never play that bad’ again vs. Thunder
Smith saw the 50-point whipping, but he feels the Thunder could pound Memphis by 20 or 30 for the rest of the series of Morant and the Grizzlies don’t tighten up.
We will see Tuesday how Memphis responds.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him him X via @CoachingMSmith.
