Ja Morant Boldly Claims Grizzlies Would Be Tied With OKC If He Was Healthy

Ja Morant’s confidence has never been in doubt, and following the Memphis Grizzlies’ first-round sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, he made sure everyone knew he still believes things could have been very different if not for his injury. 

In his exit interview, Morant boldly claimed, "I had them figured out," and insisted that if he had remained healthy, the Grizzlies would be heading back to Oklahoma City with the series tied 2-2.

Before diving into the reality, it’s important to acknowledge Morant’s mindset. He prefaced his statement by admitting he was "scared" to respond, aware that his words often get thrown back at him. 

Still, after a long pause, he stood firm, saying that he genuinely believed Memphis had cracked the code against the Thunder before his injury in Game 3.

It’s understandable why Morant feels that way. The Grizzlies were in control early in Game 3, building a massive 29-point lead before disaster struck. Morant, after just 15 minutes on the court, went down after a nasty fall caused by contact with Lu Dort. 

Once Morant left the game, the Grizzlies unraveled. Oklahoma City mounted a furious comeback and stole a 114-108 win, effectively sealing the series. Without their leader, Memphis couldn’t hold on.

However, confidence and reality are two very different things. While Morant's injury was undoubtedly a brutal blow for the Grizzlies, it is hard to buy the idea that he alone would have shifted the series completely. 

Even if the Grizzlies had closed out Game 3, they still would have been trailing 2-1 and would have needed another near-perfect effort in Game 4. The Thunder had already steamrolled Memphis in Games 1 and 2, winning by a combined 70 points and exposing serious flaws in the Grizzlies’ lineup that went far beyond Morant’s presence or absence.

This isn’t the first time Morant’s confidence has been called into question either. It was only a few years ago when Morant famously said he was "fine in the West," implying the Grizzlies had nothing to fear from conference rivals. 

Since making that statement, the Grizzlies have managed to win just two playoff games and only one playoff series in four seasons. Zach Lowe and others have pointed this out, noting that Memphis has fallen woefully short of its own expectations despite all the talk.

There is no doubt that Morant's return would have made the series more competitive, but to suggest Memphis had Oklahoma City "figured out" feels more like bravado than fact. 

Even before his injury, Morant wasn’t exactly dominating the series. He averaged 18.3 points, 5 assists, and just 2 rebounds per game—not exactly superstar production against one of the league's best defenses.

Meanwhile, the Thunder have looked every bit like a title contender, showing poise, depth, and balance across the series. Whether it was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, or Jalen Williams stepping up, Oklahoma City consistently found ways to punish Memphis at both ends of the floor.

Ultimately, Ja Morant’s statement reflects the unbreakable self-belief that makes him such a dynamic player. Still, results speak louder than confidence. While injuries undeniably played a role, the Grizzlies' collapse highlighted deeper issues, and Oklahoma City was simply the better team, no matter who was healthy.