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On Monday night, the Memphis Grizzlies dropped their third straight game, falling to the Detroit Pistons 115-106 on the road. Ja Morant scored 18 points in the loss and became evasive when it came to replying to reporters’ post-game questions in the locker room. When asked whether he and the coaching staff had spoken about what happened Friday and whether everyone had moved on from it, the team’s franchise player told reporters, “Y’all ask that question to them.” “Y’all already know the answer to that,” he said when a reporter asked about his take on things. Asked if he and the team resolved their situation, Morant quickly replied, “Yeah, they told y’all that, right?” “Obviously, they can’t go and tell y’all something I didn’t say,” he told a reporter when asked about hearing it from him rather than them. Read more: Lakers’ Jake LaRavia Gets Brutally Honest About Anthony Edwards Jab MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 03: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the first half against the Detroit Pistons at FedExForum on November 03, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) However, his recent frustration was clearly on display as he responded, “No,” when asked if he’s got the “same joy” everyone’s accustomed to seeing from him in Grizzlies basketball games. Asked if he thinks he’s got a “good relationship with the franchise,” Morant replied, “Yeah. They told y’all that, right?” “If I had a good relationship. I wouldn’t talk to them at all,” he suggested. He then called out another reporter’s question as his “home run question,” and suggested it “sounded like a bait question.” Ja Morant says he lost his joy 😳(🎥 @Matt_Infield) pic.twitter.com/JR2sfnhVop— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 4, 2025 The Morant Grizzlies fiasco began after the team’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this week. The multi-time All-Star had a dismal 3-of-14 shooting performance, finishing with just eight points and seven assists, and didn’t seem quite as connected with his Grizzlies teammates when playing. Following that game, he also deflected reporters’ questions to the coaching staff, but he did offer, “According to them, not play me,” when asked what could have been done differently. At the time, Morant indicated that nothing was physically wrong with him, such as an injury or illness. However, the Grizzlies suspended him one game soon after his remarks for “conduct detrimental to the team.” Monday was his return from that suspension and featured 18 points, 10 assists, and four rebounds in the loss. During a recent discussion of Morant’s situation on NBC/Peacock, Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony suggested that the Grizzlies superstar is “being tested” by many people in this moment, and seems to be battling things “mentally and emotionally.” "This could be a moment where he could teach a whole new generation how to handle things when it's not comfortable."Jamal Crawford joins the NBA Showtime crew to discuss Ja Morant's one game suspension. pic.twitter.com/spLSdoUsCg— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) November 3, 2025 “Listen, Ja, man, this is basketball. Ain’t no loyalty in sports. This is what we gotta do. This is what we gotta deal with. Put your big boy pants on, let’s go play basketball,” Anthony said. Morant and the Grizzlies return home to host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night with a chance to get things back on track and snap their three-game losing streak. Read more: Lakers’ Austin Reaves Projected to Get Big NBA Payday For more about the Memphis Grizzlies and the NBA, visit Newsweek Sports.