Ja Morant has gone nuclear against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals, scoring an astounding 115 points in the first three games.
However, he left Game 3 early on May 7, limping off the court in the fourth quarter, and he was seen limping out of the arena after the game.
While Morant was being double-teamed in the backcourt, the Warriors’ Jordan Poole appeared to grab Morant’s knee as the Dubs guard was trying to go for the ball.
Drama ensued after the game when Morant tweeted footage of Poole’s contact with his knee, captioning it “broke the code,” a shot at Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who made a similar accusation on May 3 after Game 2.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins added fuel to the fire when he said that Poole “yanked” Morant’s knee.
“We just watched the replay,” Jenkins told reporters after Game 3. “He was going after a dribble, and Jordan Poole actually grabbed his knee and yanked it, which triggered whatever happened.”
Although Kerr refused to comment on the play after the game, some Warriors players expressed apathy toward the Grizzlies’ accusations. Steph Curry called the allegations “BS” and said he wanted to look ahead to Game 4. After practice on May 8, Otto Porter agreed, telling reporters there was nothing about the play worth looking into and was moving ahead to the next game.
Otto Porter Jr. the next Warriors player to express apathy about the Grizzlies’ accusations
After the Grizzlies’ practice on May 8, Jenkins said he was doubtful that Morant would be available for Game 4, according to a tweet by The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Grizzlies‘ Ja Morant (right knee) is likely to miss Game 4 vs. Warriors, coach Taylor Jenkins says.
Even though the Grizzlies are 20-5 without Morant this season, things are much different now than the regular season. If the Grizzlies want to keep the series competitive, they are going to have to move on from whatever issues they have, and focus on who can replace Morant’s production.
Grizzlies Coach Reiterates Jordan Poole Knee Grab Led to Morant Injury
Jenkins did not back down from his comments after Game 3 about Poole grabbing onto Morant’s knee. He even doubled down by saying that Poole’s grabbing Morant’s knee was what led to Morant’s injury.
Taylor Jenkins makes it clear that he and the Grizzlies believe that Jordan Poole play where he grabs Ja Morant’s knee led to this injury. “This injury is caused by that play.”
However, after ESPN’s Marc Spears pressed Jenkins on what he meant by Poole “yanking” at Morant’s knee, Jenkins did not specify whether the contact was intentional or accidental.
Jenkins gets pressed about his accusations on JP…
Waffles with answer..
In responding to the question, it appeared Jenkins was trying to walk a line between supporting his team and star player and not overreacting to the play.
No Disciplinary Action Will Be Taken on Jordan Poole
Much to the chagrin of the Grizzlies, the NBA reportedly has made a ruling on whether Poole would be punished for “yanking” Morant’s knee.
There will be no action taken from the NBA on the Jordan Poole, Ja Morant play from Game 3.
The NBA ruled that the contact between Poole and Morant was incidental, which is how Poole had described what happened as he reached for the ball. Even if the Grizzlies don’t see it that way, the NBA’s ruling shuts the door on the incident but doesn’t close the door on the possibility of players getting chippy for the duration of the series.
The Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks is expected to return from a one-game suspension and step into a bigger role with Morant likely to be missing from Game 4.
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Grizzlies Hit With More Bad News Against Warriors Before Game 4