MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Oklahoma City Thunder extended their dominance in the league, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 125-112 on Saturday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Aaron Wiggins led the charge, combining for 83 points and handing the Grizzlies just their second loss in 12 games.
However, the game wasn’t without controversy. Tee Morant, father of Grizzlies star Ja Morant, was ejected from the stands during the fourth quarter, making headlines as much as Memphis’ loss.
Thunder’s Strong Performance
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Led Oklahoma City with 33 points, showcasing his scoring versatility.
- Jalen Williams: Added 27 points, attacking the rim and hitting timely shots.
- Aaron Wiggins: Contributed 23 points, helping OKC maintain momentum.
The Thunder’s offense was firing on all cylinders, with efficient ball movement and scoring depth making them a tough challenge for Memphis.
Ja Morant’s Underwhelming Performance
Ja Morant struggled offensively, finishing with:
- 16 points on 6-of-19 shooting
- Limited impact compared to his usual production
The Grizzlies couldn’t find their rhythm, falling behind early and struggling to close the gap despite multiple scoring attempts.
Tee Morant’s Ejection: What Happened?
Tee Morant, a familiar face courtside since Ja was drafted in 2019, was ejected during the fourth quarter for making disrespectful comments toward the officiating crew.
The NBA’s Pool Report featured Crew Chief Josh Tiven explaining the decision:
- Why was Tee Morant ejected?“The fan continued to repeat overtly disrespectful statements about the integrity of the officiating crew, so as the Crew Chief I approached security and asked that he be removed.”
- What specific comments led to the ejection?“Yes. There were very specific, overtly disrespectful comments made about the integrity of the crew.”
- Were you aware he was Ja Morant’s father?“Yes.”
Tee’s ejection caught many by surprise, given his reputation as a passionate but typically good-natured figure on the sidelines.
What’s Next for Memphis?
With the loss, the Grizzlies drop to 10-2 in their last 12 games. The team will need to regroup and address Ja Morant’s shooting struggles as they face another tough stretch of games.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City continues to prove why they’re considered one of the league’s top teams, with balanced scoring and strong defensive performances making them a legitimate contender.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Memphis to see if they can bounce back and how Tee Morant’s ejection may affect the team dynamic moving forward.
