Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Ja Morant makes guarantee after awful Game 1 loss

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 4:21 PM ET

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant made a blunt promise after his team’s ugly Game 1 loss.

Morant and the Grizzlies lost 131-80 to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Ok. on Sunday. The defeat was the fifth-largest in NBA playoff history, and left many questioning whether the Grizzlies could even compete with Oklahoma City in the series.

Morant was still feeling bullish despite the manner of defeat.

“We will never play that bad again,” Morant pledged.

Ja Morant: “We will never play that bad again.”

Asked about his sprained ankle, he said: “I felt good. I was available.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 20, 2025

It would be hard for Memphis to play worse. The Grizzlies were already down 32 at halftime and allowed 112 points through three quarters.

Even if Morant is right, it might not be enough for the Grizzlies to win the series. They did not look like they belonged on the same floor as the Thunder on Sunday. This may wind up being a short playoff trip for them, and is probably not what they had in mind when they made abrupt changes toward the end of the regular season.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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