Ja Morant made sure the Memphis Grizzlies opened their season the right way. The star guard dropped 35 points to lift Memphis past the New Orleans Pelicans 128-122 on Wednesday night.
His late basket with 32.9 seconds remaining pushed the Grizzlies ahead 122-118. Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Morant sealed the victory at the free-throw line, holding off a squad led by Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole.
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However, one second-quarter moment between Poole and Caldwell-Pope quickly went viral, overshadowing much of the game’s action.
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After a whistle for a travel, Caldwell-Pope appeared to push Poole to the floor while contesting a long-range shot. Poole clearly didn’t appreciate the contact. Tensions flared immediately as he shouted toward Caldwell-Pope from the sideline during the stoppage.
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Caldwell-Pope accused Poole of flopping, telling him to “get your a** up.”
“N****, you weren’t even in the play. Man, I ain’t worried about you n****, lame a** n***. You’re lame as f**k, corny a** n***a, that’s what that’s about,” Poole fired back.
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It’s a familiar unwritten rule in the NBA, never let your opponent take a shot after the whistle. Inside the paint, it could turn into a costly three-point play. Beyond the arc, it’s about preventing rhythm. That rule generally applies when the ball stays with the player who drew the whistle.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer (24) handles the ball as New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Poole (3) defends during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
In this case, though, Jordan Poole wasn’t even involved when a travel was called on Herb Jones. He casually tossed up a shot while the Pelicans led 58-50, trying to find his groove. That’s when Caldwell-Pope stepped in to contest, a move understandable by instinct but one that sent Poole to the floor hard.
Officials stepped between them quickly. On review, they ruled Poole exaggerated the contact, no foul called. In the end, Caldwell-Pope had the last laugh as the Grizzlies rallied to steal the win on opening night.
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