Memphis Guard Ja Morant is unlikely to play in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against Golden State on Monday night after Jordan Pool injured his right knee in Saturday night’s 142-112 defeat to the Grizzlies.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said on Sunday that he did not expect Morant to put the Warriors behind Memphis 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
“As I said last night, I’m just trying to keep the facts here, and this is what Ja says. What caused the potential injury and why we pulled Jala out of the game. Nothing has changed since then, “said Jenkins. … It’s a really good opportunity not to play tomorrow. “
Morant, who was lame with 6:19 left in the game, was unable to do any basketball activity on Sunday, Jenkins said.
“If he’s not able to go, we rally as a team and that’s what we’re looking at,” Jenkins said. “We are not trying to get caught up in the story. That’s why I think it’s true that the injury was caused by that game. Outside of that I don’t go into more detail. And then there’s the fact that our team has reached the point where no one has been out throughout the season. Naturally, Ja has gone out for many games and our children have taken a beautiful step. “
Morant left the chess center without speaking to reporters but posted a video of the play with the words “Break the Code” on his Twitter feed and then deleted it, a reference used by Warriors coach Steve Kerr four days ago when Dillon Brooks committed a foul in the game. 2 set aside Gary Payton II.
When Poole and Andrew Wiggins dribbled Morant to the top of the 3-point arc, Morant struggled to stay in control – and Poole called it a basketball game to go for the ball.
On Sunday, Kerr bowed several times when asked about it and said there was no need to discuss the latest back-and-forth between the franchises.
“I do not know. There is nothing to comment on. I saw the tape, “said Kerr. “… No, I’m not taking it personally. I’ve seen the play, there’s nothing to comment on.”
Grizzlies guard Tys Jones called it a “fun” play but said he did not believe Poole had malicious intent to hurt Morant.
“Ja’s souls are good. Naturally. He is disappointed. Whenever you get hurt or hurt, you get frustrated, “said Jones. “… I think this play was an interesting play. I don’t think Poole or anyone in this series is a dirty player. But it was just an interesting play. That’s all I can say. It wasn’t a normal drama, but I don’t think he was trying to hurt anyone in any way. “
