It’s been a turbulent stretch for the Memphis Grizzlies, and as the calendar flips to the end of 2025, the drama surrounding Ja Morant continues to capture the attention of the NBA world. After returning from a left ankle injury that sidelined him for a key December matchup, Morant wasted no time making headlines both on and off the court. The Grizzlies, currently sitting at 15-17, are struggling to find their rhythm in a season dogged by injuries, inconsistent play, and off-court distractions.
On December 28, 2025, Morant and the Grizzlies faced the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. The game, attended by just 16,681 fans—nearly 4,000 short of capacity—highlighted the shifting tides for a franchise and a star once considered among the NBA’s most electrifying draws. Morant, who’s averaging 17.6 points per game this season on just 22 percent shooting from three and 37.4 percent from the field, found himself at the center of controversy once again.
Late in the first half, Morant was visibly frustrated after a no-call by the officials. His animated reaction earned him a technical foul, and as he stormed toward the locker room, he flashed a money gesture—leaving fans and commentators guessing at its meaning. Was he hinting at a fine for the technical, or suggesting something more sinister about the officiating? The ambiguity only fueled the social media firestorm that followed.
The night’s drama didn’t end there. As the first half concluded, Morant became the target of heckling from Wizards fans. One particularly vocal spectator shouted, "Ja can’t handle the fans, get some buckets first, you got your coach fired to be a play-in team." The jab referenced rumors swirling earlier in the season about Morant’s role in the Grizzlies’ coaching changes and their underwhelming performance. The heated exchange quickly escalated when Morant’s father, Tee Morant—no stranger to courtside confrontations—stepped in to defend his son. Security was forced to intervene, escorting Tee back to his seat as the fan continued his tirade, claiming Morant "can’t handle adversity, just like in the playoffs."
Morant, clearly rattled by the ongoing heckling, responded with a profane remark that was picked up by cameras and quickly circulated online: "They be on my dk more than my b*h." While Morant’s play on the court that night was solid—he finished with 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting and dished out seven assists—the Grizzlies ultimately fell to the Wizards, 116-112. The loss dropped Memphis to 15-17 on the season and cemented a season sweep for Washington over the Grizzlies. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the way for Memphis with 31 points, but the team’s struggles were evident, especially as they failed to close out games against teams with losing records.
Morant’s public image, once pristine and full of promise, has taken repeated hits over the past few years. Most notably, in 2023, he was suspended twice for flashing a gun on Instagram Live—earning an eight-game and then a 25-game suspension. That same year, he was accused of punching a 17-year-old during a pickup game. These incidents, coupled with his declining efficiency and the Grizzlies’ middling record, have led some to question whether he can reclaim his status as a future face of the NBA.
Despite the setbacks, Morant’s return to full health provides a much-needed boost for a Grizzlies squad decimated by injuries. After injuring his left ankle in a December 16 win over the Clippers and missing the subsequent game against the Timberwolves, Morant worked his way back into the lineup under a minutes restriction. By December 29, he was fully cleared and no longer appeared on the team’s injury report. As the Grizzlies prepared to host the Philadelphia 76ers on December 30 at FedExForum, Morant’s availability restored Memphis’ primary ball-handler and scorer—a critical asset given the team’s depleted rotation.
The Grizzlies’ injury woes are far from over. Key rotation players such as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Vince Williams Jr., Brandon Clarke, John Konchar, Zach Edey, Ty Jerome, and Scotty Pippen Jr. remain sidelined with various ailments. This leaves Memphis thin at multiple positions and places even greater emphasis on Morant’s ability to control tempo, create shots for teammates, and provide leadership on the floor.
As for the upcoming matchup against the 76ers, intrigue abounds. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia’s MVP center, is listed as questionable with an ankle issue. If Embiid is limited or unable to play, the Grizzlies could have a window to exploit the paint and push the pace—areas where Morant excels when at full strength. Jaren Jackson Jr., fresh off a 31-point outing against the Wizards, is expected to continue his scoring surge, especially with Morant drawing defensive attention and creating open looks.
Betting trends for the Grizzlies have favored the Under, with the team going 20-11-1 in that category this season. Offensively, Memphis has been erratic, while the 76ers have struggled to break the 110-point mark in recent contests. Analysts are watching Jaren Jackson Jr. closely, predicting another strong performance with the Over on 20.5 points in the upcoming game. Meanwhile, rookies like Cedric Coward and VJ Edgecombe are also drawing attention as they carve out roles in their respective rotations.
Beyond the stats and the scoreboards, the soap opera surrounding Morant and his family continues to play out in the public eye. Tee Morant’s courtside antics have become a subplot of their own, with a history of run-ins against high-profile figures like Shannon Sharpe and Kevin Durant. The latest incident in Washington only adds to the narrative of a family—and a franchise—under the microscope.
As the Grizzlies prepare to face the 76ers, questions linger about the team’s direction and Morant’s long-term future in Memphis. He’s currently playing under a massive contract—five years, $197,230,450, with escalating cap hits in the coming seasons. With the Grizzlies struggling to stay afloat in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, the stakes have never been higher for Morant to deliver both on and off the court.
The action at FedExForum tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET, with Morant fully cleared and ready to lead a shorthanded Memphis squad. Whether this marks the beginning of a turnaround or simply another chapter in a season full of drama, all eyes will be on Morant as the Grizzlies look to steady the ship against a formidable Philadelphia opponent.
