‘Nothing Of Intelligent Depth’: Klay Thompson Fires Back At Ja Morant After Dallas Mavericks’ Loss
The Dallas Mavericks came close to finally stacking wins together, but a late push wasn’t enough in a 102-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night. Dallas fell to 5-13 after missing a chance to win consecutive games for the first time this season, overshadowing a 22-point performance from Klay Thompson.
But the closing seconds—and what came immediately after—became the real story.
As the horn sounded, Ja Morant — out with a right calf strain — walked toward Thompson at midcourt and began jawing. The exchange escalated when Morant extended his right index finger and pointed it near Thompson’s face. Thompson knocked the hand away before players and security stepped in to break up the confrontation.
The moment capped a chippy night that had already featured a flagrant foul on Santi Aldama for tripping Cooper Flagg and technicals on Thompson and Vince Williams Jr.
Minutes later, during Cam Spencer’s postgame interview on the local broadcast, Morant added another verbal jab from off camera.
“Tell ’em who the best shooter in the house was. It wasn’t bro from Golden State,” Morant said.
Many viewers took the comment as a direct shot at Thompson. However, because Spencer’s brother, Pat Spencer, is currently with the Golden State Warriors, the remark could have been an inside reference rather than a direct slight at Thompson.
Either way, Thompson didn’t mince words afterward.
Klay Thompson Responds: “He Was Just Running His Mouth”
Asked about Morant’s remarks inside the Mavericks’ locker room, Thompson said the Grizzlies star offered “nothing of intelligent depth.”
“It was really just running his mouth, and he’s been running his mouth for a long time,” Thompson told reporters. “It’s funny to run your mouth when you’re on the bench. It’s kind of the story of his career so far, just leaving us wanting more.
“We all want to see him out there and do his best, but he’s just been letting a lot of other stuff get in the way of that. We need that in the NBA. We need our best players to be out there, and when you’re a star, it comes with a great responsibility. I hate to see that go to waste.”
Thompson didn’t stop there, calling Morant a “funny guy” who “has a lot to say all the time, especially for a guy who rarely takes accountability.”
Ja Morant’s Struggles Add Fuel to the Exchange
Morant’s jab came as he continues the toughest stretch of his career. Through 12 games, he is averaging 17.9 points on 35.9% shooting — including just 16.7% from beyond the arc — and missed Saturday’s contest with a calf strain, his third straight absence. The former Rookie of the Year has played just 71 games over the past three seasons, with injuries and suspensions interrupting his prime.
Even from the sideline, Morant stirred controversy by referencing Thompson’s Golden State tenure, despite Thompson no longer playing for the Warriors. Thompson later contrasted his respect for the Grizzlies’ past core with his view of the current group.
“I do actually have a lot of respect for the Grind House — Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol. That was a hard team to beat,” Thompson said. “This new team, though? They just talk a lot. They’ve always talked a lot. They’ve never really backed it up, either. I don’t really respect that. I respect guys who back up the talk with play. Because talk is cheap.”
A Rivalry That Won’t Go Away
Though the Warriors–Grizzlies battles defined the height of Morant’s rise — including Golden State knocking Memphis out of the 2022 Western Conference semifinals — Saturday’s flare-up showed the competitive tension still lingers.
Both teams will have time to cool off. The Mavericks and Grizzlies do not meet again until Feb. 27, a date that suddenly carries more weight than a typical midseason matchup.
Whether Morant is healthy enough — and available — to play in that rematch could determine whether this chapter is finished or just getting started.
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