The Memphis Grizzlies were defeated on Friday night by the los angeles lakersending a difficult season that saw star player Ja Morant suspended for eight games in March.
Morant had several off-court incidents that made the news before he was suspended after appearing to brandish a weapon at a Denver-area nightclub.
Ja Morant, number 12 of the Memphis Grizzlies, warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first round of Game 6 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California . (Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Grizzlies still managed to earn second place in the Western Conference, but injuries and a rebuilt Lakers team finished them off, losing in six games in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
After the big loss on Friday night, Morant took possession of a disappointing seasonpointing out distractions off the pitch.
LAKERS ELIMINATES GRIZZLIES 125-85, ADVANCE TO ROUND 2
«I just have to be better with my decision making,» Morant said, according to ESPN. «That’s it. The off-court issues hit us as an organization quite a bit. [need] more discipline.»
Although Morant did not face any criminal charges For the incident in Denver, the NBA suspended him for eight games without pay for «conduct detrimental to the league» after an investigation.
It came after multiple allegations involving Morant.
Ja Morant, number 12 of the Memphis Grizzlies, reacts during Game 1 of Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 16, 2023 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. (Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers claimed that after an altercation between Morant’s associates and the Pacers in January, a red laser was pointed at the team from an SUV carrying Morant, which the Pacers believed was a weapon.
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The NBA investigated the incident and found that no «individual threatened others with a weapon.»
In March, a police report said Morant allegedly exposed a weapon after beating a teenager last summer.
In The Washington Post report, Morant allegedly hit the teen to the head «12 to 13 times» at a casual game of basketball at Morant’s house.
Ja Morant, number 12 of the Memphis Grizzlies, poses before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the sixth round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
According to the report, Morant entered his home after the altercation and came out with a gun at his waist and his hand on the gun.
On Friday night, Morant said he needs to be more disciplined off the court.
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«I feel like mine is more off the court and more on the court, just being disciplined on both sides,» Morant said. «Off the court, making better decisions. On the court, being even more focused. Being a leader of this team, it pretty much starts with me. So regardless of how I attack any situation, I know my guys will follow me. I’ve just got to be better in that area.»
The 125-85 loss was the most lopsided playoff loss in Memphis franchise history.