Ja Morant is ejected in the Grizzlies’ loss to Oklahoma City after talking to a fan

Memphis star Ja Morant was ejected just before halftime as an undermanned Oklahoma City Thunder squad ended Memphis’ winning streak at seven with a 115-109 victory Saturday night.

Morant was ejected with 43 seconds left in the half when he was called for his second technical foul after apparently making remarks to courtside Memphis fans that were derogatory about the officiating. 

While being motioned from the court, Morant gave the fan, identified now as Lisa, a thumbs up and heart signal before saying ‘you good, I got you.’ 

He didn’t say specifically what he said to the fan, but did confirm the conversation and said he wasn’t speaking to the official before either technical.

‘I got my first tech for saying I got hit in my face. Didn´t curse at him,’ Morant said. 

‘Another situation where he’s in my conversation and I get another tech for talking with a fan. I feel like when these fans came here, went online to buy these tickets, they didn´t say Ray [Acosta] name to come watch.’ Acosta, being one of the officials.

Hilariously, before the game ended Morant FaceTimed his father who walked over to Lisa, so Morant could articulate that he wasn’t upset with her, saying ‘it’s all good,’ according to Thunder beat writer Joe Mussatto.

The conversation exchanged between Lisa and Morant was made clear by Mussatto. Lisa is reported to have said: ‘I was just telling Ja, “let’s go”, to which he replied “can’t do much because (the refs) missed a call,’ 

Morant gestured toward Grizzlies fan, Lisa, who he was talking with prior to the farcical scenes

Morant retweeted both of Mussatto’s reporting surrounding the Saturday night circus. 

The Grizzlies star stayed active on his phone, throwing NBA twitter into a laughing fit by tweeting a meme in respond to quotes from NBA official John Goble as to why he was ejected. 

Memphis beat writer Drew Hill tweeted Goble’s response, in which he denied that Morant had been removed for comments to the crowd. 

Instead, he said Morant received his second technical ‘for making a comment questioning the integrity of the officials.’

Ja Morant caused a stir by tweeting a widespread meme which implies a lie has occurred 

The photo tweeted by Morant shows a gentleman wearing several caps, humorously referring to the practice of ‘capping’, formally defined as lying. 

Morant scored just six points on 3-of-10 shooting. The All-Star guard picked up his first technical after committing a foul to stop play and complain about a no-call on a drive to the basket.

The Thunder, playing without stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, ended a five-game losing streak. Lu Dort scored 24 points and Isiah Joe had a season-high 23 points, hitting five 3-pointers.

The Oklahoma City Thunder snapped a five-game losing streak with a victory on the road