Ja Morant is one of the most exciting players in the NBA. Man, this night went off the rails in a wild way. The routine end-of-quarter shot that somehow turned into a full-blown controversy, leaving fans stunned and Morant facing league punishment.
With the hooter at the end of the third quarter, Morant took a one handed full court shot—you know, the kind players take all the time just for fun. That was not one of those frustration throw or anything, just one of those heat of the moment attempts. Seriously, but instead of the usual ignoring of it, the refs hit him with a tech right away. A technical foul for that. Seriously?
And here’s the kicker—that free throw ended up deciding the game. The Knicks got a free point to start the fourth quarter, OG Anunoby knocked it down, and New York won by one. While Ja Morant has to pay $25,000 for a subjective foul.
The following was released by the NBA: pic.twitter.com/ZBSYKeKkiT
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 3, 2025
Fans were livid, but lead referee Bill Kennedy stood by the call. “Morant was assessed a technical foul for throwing the ball the length of the floor,” Kennedy said. Okay, but is that actually against the rules? Well, when asked, Kennedy basically admitted that it wasn’t—as long as the shot is considered a legitimate attempt.
So wait—this was subjective? The ref just decided that Morant’s shot wasn’t legitimate and handed New York a free shoot because of it? Yeah, that’s exactly what happened, and it’s why this whole situation blew up instantly.
Memphis actually had a shot to pull it out late, with Morant getting an and-one that felt like the dagger. But then Anunoby drilled a clutch three, putting the Knicks right back in front.
Morant still had one last chance to steal the win at the buzzer, but his layup just rolled off the rim, sealing a brutal loss for the Grizzlies.
Morant’s Injury Status Looms Large for Memphis
And we thought the tech foul mess was already too much to deal with, adding to that stress is Morant’s health. And after that Knicks game, he suffered lingering shoulder pain and was sidelined against the Spurs. Memphis fought hard and yeah, they lost 130-128 against San Antonio, who were missing Victor Wembanyama.
Now, with the Hawks coming to town, Morant’s status is still up in the air. The Grizzlies listed him as questionable with right shoulder soreness, and you can bet fans are nervous about whether he’ll play.
And guess what? The Hawks are dealing with their own injury concerns—Trae Young is managing an Achilles issue. But unlike Morant, he’s been playing through it, so he’ll probably be out there when Atlanta faces Memphis.
Dec 13, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) handles the ball as Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Schroder (17) defends during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Right now, the Grizzlies are 38-22, sitting fourth in the Western Conference, and with playoff seeding getting tighter, they desperately need their guy. But between bad calls, fines, and now a nagging injury, things are getting rough for Memphis.
Morant’s $25,000 fine just adds another layer of frustration to a brutal stretch. The tech cost them a crucial game, and now his health is another issue hanging over their season.
With Atlanta up next, the biggest question is simple—can Morant shake off the shoulder pain and get back on the court?
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