ESPN's Stephen A. Smith has been in the news lately.
First, the NBA pundit was caught playing solitaire on his phone during Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Then, on Tuesday, Smith said NBA players have told him they would feel unsafe playing in a city like Memphis.
Ja Morant, who has spent his entire career with the Memphis Grizzlies, appears to have taken offense at Smith's words.
The two-time All-Star went on social media on Tuesday and subtly responded to Smith's comments.
"instead of focusing on the performances we seen from jdub/shai, tj/siakam, how this series is going. we say sumn negative about a city/team on a national level," Morant posted on X.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12).
Ja Morant took offense to Stephen A. Smith's comments.
Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
The Thunder beat the Pacers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday. Morant is confused why Smith is talking about Memphis when Indiana and OKC are playing on the NBA's biggest stage.
The Grizzlies were swept by the Thunder in the first round of this year’s postseason. Morant missed Game 4 of the series after getting injured in Game 3.
Memphis has won only one postseason series since drafting Morant with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Murray State. The franchise traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic on Father's Day for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap.
Morant and Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr. are eligible to sign contract extensions this offseason.
Morant appeared in 50 games for the Grizzlies this season. He averaged 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.9% from the three-point range and 82.4% from the foul line.
The 25-year-old Morant has career averages of 22.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists. He signed a five-year, $197 million extension with Memphis in 2022.