Klay Thompson expressed disappointment rather than anger regarding his confrontation with Ja Morant following the Mavericks’ 102-96 defeat to the Grizzlies on Saturday.
After the game, teammates had to step in as tensions rose, with someone referring to Thompson with an unflattering term while Morant was sidelined due to a calf injury.
The experienced NBA champion shared some candid thoughts about Morant, who has faced his share of struggles on the court. “He’s a funny guy,” Thompson commented. “He talks a lot, especially for someone who doesn’t take much responsibility. Maybe that’s for another time. It’s really just him making noise, honestly. Lately, he’s been pretty quiet.”
Thompson continued, “It’s interesting how vocal players can be from the bench. It kind of reflects how his career has gone. We definitely want him to show his potential on the court, but it seems like there are many things holding him back. We just need to put in our best effort. Becoming a star isn’t just about talent; it’s a huge responsibility. It’s disheartening to see it go to waste.”
Thompson, at 35, contrasts significantly with the 26-year-old Morant, who has faced various issues including injuries and, more recently, some off-court troubles. There’s been talk about strained connections with the Grizzlies’ head coach, Tuomas Isalo.
In spite of a lackluster season overall, Thompson stepped up on Saturday, scoring a season-high 22 points, aided by six 3-pointers, though he missed a chance to tie the game late on, leaving Dallas struggling at 5-13 for the season.
It remains uncertain if Morant said something during the game that irked Thompson further, who recently responded to comments made by former players Patrick Beverley and Jason Williams concerning his relationship with rapper Megan Thee Stallion.
Earlier in the evening, Morant, during an on-court conversation post-game, made remarks that seemed aimed at Thompson, referring to his teammates in a way that implied they were superior shooters compared to those in Golden State.
Thompson also noted that the atmosphere was tense earlier in the night when he approached Grizzlies player Santi Aldama after a play involving Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg. By the end, it seemed Thompson was ready to set aside the distracting chatter that surrounded the game.
