Ja Morant’s motivation was clear as he led the Memphis Grizzlies to a 131-114 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, fueled by memories of past playoff defeats and a desire to defend his home court.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was fueled by more than the usual desire to win during Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. In a heated matchup at FedExForum, Morant, driven by memories of past playoff losses to the Lakers, led his team to a 131-114 victory, scoring 20 points before a hamstring injury forced him to leave in the third quarter.
The game marked the first meeting between the two teams since a highly charged April 2024 matchup, where the Lakers’ LeBron James delivered a game-winning dunk in the final seconds, and the first matchup since Los Angeles eliminated Memphis in the first round of the 2023 playoffs. Morant missed both occasions, sidelined with a season-ending shoulder injury, but he returned on Wednesday ready to make an impact.
Throughout the first half, Morant and James went head-to-head in a spirited scoring battle, with each making competitive gestures and exchanging baskets to the delight of a packed crowd. Morant’s intensity spilled over, earning him a technical foul at one point, while fans of both teams cheered wildly for each exchange.
“I think I did the ‘too small’ to somebody who was too small,” Morant said afterward. “[James] came back and did it respectfully. …He did it, and I don’t back down from nobody. I don’t care who you are.
“My job was to just come back. I got my bucket, and I set the tone. My teammates fed off of it, and you see what happens. Top dog in our league. You take out the top dog, who else you fear?”
While Morant set the tone early with his physical play and passionate demeanor, James led all scorers with 39 points, adding seven rebounds and six assists. The faceoff underscored the fierce competition between two of the NBA’s most prominent players, a clash of both skill and pride. Although Memphis is still awaiting an update on Morant’s hamstring injury, the young guard’s energy was instrumental in rallying his team to victory.
“Just two guys from the inner city who love to compete,” said James, who had a game-high 39 points to go with seven rebounds and six assists. “That’s how we all grew up, playing on the blacktop, playing outside, competing at a high level when there was no cameras around.”
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