Ja Morant had a night to forget. Against the Lakers at the FedExForum, Memphis blew a 14-point lead and lost 117–112, while the team’s star struggled more than expected: 8 points on 3-for-14 shooting, 0-for-6 from three – his lowest scoring output since December 2024.

The issue wasn’t just his shooting: Morant looked frustrated, and the tension with the coaching staff was obvious. When asked about it by reporters, his answer was blunt and direct:

Ask the coaching staff. Apparently, they probably think I shouldn’t even be playing.

Ja Morant

Morant kept repeating that line, hinting that he was unhappy with how his minutes and game situations were being managed. The Grizzlies have been using short rotations since the start of the season, aiming for pace and freshness, but that approach sometimes disrupts the rhythm of the team’s leader.

In the fourth quarter, with 5:33 left, Morant checked back in but showed little engagement: one assist, no shot attempts. A far cry from his recent performance against the Suns, where he sealed the win with a game-winner.

The difference, compared to that victory over Phoenix, lies in the minute management and the message coming from the coaching staff – which, judging by Morant’s words, wasn’t clear or shared.

The result was a flat performance, a team that lost its on-court leadership, and a Morant who made it clear that his frustration could grow if communication and management don’t improve.

Memphis still needs to find its rhythm, and the first game of the Emirates NBA Cup served as a real reminder: even stars need to feel involved and properly guided to perform at their best.

Ja Morant didn’t hold anything back – and maybe that was the clearest message of the night: talent alone isn’t enough; trust and clarity on the court matter just as much.