The Memphis Grizzlies are under heavy scrutiny following a controversial decision regarding star guard Ja Morant. As they prepare to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night in a game with playoff seeding implications, the franchise has found itself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Memphis first made waves on Friday when it was announced that the team had decided to part ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The decision came as a shock given Jenkins' success since taking over in 2019, making him the Grizzlies' all-time winningest coach with 250-214 record.
However, after Thursday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the front office opted for a coaching change, leaving many puzzled.
Now, the Grizzlies are back in the headlines, this time regarding a report from DaMichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal that alleges the team forced Ja Morant to play against the Thunder on March 5, despite not being fully fit.
This revelation has drawn heavy criticism from fans and analysts, many of whom fear that rushing Morant back may have worsened his injury.
REPORT: One NBA source believes the Grizzlies pushed Ja Morant to play vs. OKC on March 5th when he wasn't physically ready.
(via @DamichaelC) pic.twitter.com/aC9D7k8Jb5
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 29, 2025
One fan compared the situation to another infamous case of mismanaging a star's health, writing, "This is literally what ended Derrick Rose's career… please take better care of your stars."
"Man, all the dirty laundry coming out," another fan posted
"Looks like the Grizzlies might've rushed Ja back too soon! Gotta take care of those star players, ya know? Playing hurt ain't the way to go," a third fan added.
"Pushing a player to play injured? This ain't new but its still wild," another fan wrote.
While Morant managed to play the following six games, his injury has since kept him out of the last six matchups, with Memphis winning just two games in that stretch.
Before his injury, Morant was in top form, averaging 31.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in his last six outings. His return could be crucial as the Grizzlies look to solidify their playoff standing and push for a deep postseason run.
Related: Grizzlies Make Major Ja Morant Announcement Before Lakers Game
Related: NBA Reacts to Major Thunder News After Grizzlies Game
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This story was originally published March 29, 2025 at 1:26 PM.