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Grizzlies Star Faces One-Game Suspension After Altercation

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Wyatt Hartman | Last updated Nov 1, 2025 11:13 PM ET

The Memphis Grizzlies have suspended two-time All-Star Ja Morant for one game after a postgame altercation with head coach Tuomas Iisalo. Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Morant was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.

Grizzlies Star Faces One-Game Suspension After Altercation

Morant isn’t exactly new to controversy; he’s been suspended twice, both times in 2023, for a total of 33 games and fined $7.75 million. Both suspensions were due to conduct detrimental to the league by the NBA. Additionally, Morant has been fined a total of 42 times outside of his suspensions, adding up to $211,000. While he’s used to the league smacking his hand, this time it was his own front office.

What Happened?

The Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Lakers played on Friday, with the Grizzlies losing by five points in a highly contested game. Morant had an off night, with only eight points on 21.4% from the field. Coach Iisalo and Morant had a postgame exchange where Iisalo challenged Morant’s leadership and effort during the game. Morant’s tone in response, while not public, was deemed inappropriate.

As mentioned, Morant has received his fair share of suspensions in recent years by the league. Now, it seems the Grizzlies have taken matters into their own hands and decided it was time to put the hammer down. While Morant was once the next prince of the NBA, he now can’t seem to stay out of trouble.

Oct 31, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots for three as Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht (4) defends during the third quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

What Happens Now?

While a one-game suspension isn’t exactly eyebrow-raising, it could be a situation to monitor heading into the deeper part of the season. This is Iisalo’s first official season as the head coach after being promoted from interim when Taylor Jenkins was fired in March.

“Go ask the coaching staff,” Morant said in response to a question about what went wrong late. Just moments after that, Morant was asked what could’ve been done differently. Morant said, “According to them (coaching staff), probably not play me.”

Morant will miss the Grizzlies’ next game against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. With that, look for players like Cedric Coward, Cam Spencer, and Vince Williams Jr to be sharing Morant’s minutes. Luckily for the team, the Raptors haven’t been exactly strong this season, currently sitting at 2-4. So if Morant had to be suspended, it’s nice to know it won’t be against a particularly strong team.

It’s unfortunate to see a team with playoff hopes battling internally. It can throw any team out of control and derail a great season. If Morant and Iisalo can’t get on the same page, the front office may have to pick between their star of the future and a young coach looking to make a name for himself in the league. Not only to save the season, but to save further altercations from happening down the line.

The Last Word

Keep an eye on this situation in Memphis. It’s not season-altering, but definitely something to look back on if any major changes occur. Morant will sit out at least one game, but the Grizzlies could always tack on more if it seems fit.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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