Memphis Grizzlies

The beef between members of the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies doesn't appear to be going away any time soon.

After Ja Morant tweeted that the Grizzlies "got a lot of real estate" in Klay Thompson's mind, Dubs forward Draymond Green couldn't help but respond to his comments.

We traded that real estate in @JaMorant the property value was higher in Boston https://t.co/X7Du6zSiZF

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) June 19, 2022

The bickering began when Thompson recalled a tweet from Grizzlies veteran Jaren Jackson Jr. after winning the 2022 NBA title. Jackson tweeted Golden State's slogan after Memphis beat the Warriors during the regular season in March.

Strength in numbers 👏🏾

— JJJ (@jarenjacksonjr) March 29, 2022

During his postgame press conference after eliminating the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Thompson called Jackson a "freakin' bum" for the tweet, noting that he couldn't wait to get on Twitter to retweet it.

"There's this one player on the Grizzlies who tweeted 'Strength In Numbers' after they beat us in the regular season ... I can't wait to retweet that thing — freakin' bum."

- Klay Thompson
(via @NBCSWarriors)pic.twitter.com/Su75u1Mqq9

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) June 17, 2022

Thompson's comments prompted Morant's tweet, which then resulted in Green weighing in. Jackson has yet to comment since the back-and-forth began earlier this week.

The Warriors eliminated the Grizzlies in a heated six-game series in this year's Western Conference Semifinals. We should be in for some entertaining games between these two teams during the 2022-23 campaign.

The Memphis Grizzlies and head coach Taylor Jenkins reached an agreement Monday on a multiyear contract extension.

"Taylor has done an outstanding job leading our team and this extension is well-deserved," general manager Zachary Kleiman said in a statement. "The year-over-year progress under Taylor speaks for itself, but his growth-oriented, selfless and competitive approach has been a driving force in the establishment of a sustainable culture. We have full confidence that Taylor will steer us to Memphis' first championship."

Further details about Jenkins' new deal weren't immediately released.

The 37-year-old Texas native has compiled a 128-99 record (.564 win percentage) across three seasons since being hired by the Grizzlies in June 2019.

Memphis reached the playoffs each of the last two years. It was eliminated by the Utah Jazz in the first round last season and reached the second round this year before getting knocked out by the Golden State Warriors, who are playing the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

The steady progress combined with a promising core, led by Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., should push the Grizzlies toward title conversation in 2022-23, especially if they can make some offseason upgrades.

Jenkins, who finished second in Coach of the Year voting behind the Phoenix Suns' Monty Williams, expressed optimism after the playoff exit against the Warriors.

"This is going to motivate us moving forward," he told reporters in May. "The growth individually, the growth collectively from this season, it's only going to make us better. This is a step in the direction of this bright future that we talk about all the time."

Jenkins owned 11 years of coaching experience before arriving to Memphis. He started with the then D-League's Austin Toros, the San Antonio Spurs' affiliate, before stints as an NBA assistant under Mike Budenholzer with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks.

He guided the Grizzlies to their first division title in franchise history this season, and now the focus shifts to winning the organization's first championship.

Golden State Warriors wing Gary Payton II wrote in an article for The Players' Tribune that he didn't hold a grudge against Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks, who was ejected in Game 2 of the teams' Western Conference semifinals matchup for a hard foul on Payton. 

The Dubs' wing suffered a fractured left elbow but said Brooks sought him after the game to apologize:

"Even after the X-rays showed it was an elbow fracture, and we knew I was gonna be out, I wasn't angry about what went down. I was annoyed to miss time, especially in the playoffs, but I didn't care about the foul. I've taken worse hits. I wasn't mad or shook up about that. Also, for the record: There's no bad blood between me and Dillon. After we closed out Game 6, I got word that he wanted to talk outside the locker room, and when I got there he apologized. I give Dillon a lot of credit for that—no text, no social media, nothing indirect. He came in person, and we talked like grown men. He told me he didn't mean to hurt me. I believe him."

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was incensed after that game, saying Brooks violated a code. 

"I don't know if it was intentional, but it was dirty," he told reporters. "There is a code. This code that players follow where you never put a guy's season [or] career in jeopardy by taking somebody out in midair and clubbing him across the head, ultimately fracturing Gary's elbow... He broke the code. Dillon Brooks broke the code."

Payton was deemed out for at least three weeks at the time, though the team reportedly wasn't ruling out a potential return in the NBA Finals, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

The 29-year-old averaged 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 71 games for the Warriors this season, adding 6.1 points per game in the postseason. He provided the team with valuable defense on the wing, and if he's able to return for the NBA Finals—the Dubs hold a 2-0 advantage in their Western Conference Finals matchup with the Dallas Mavericks—it would be a major boost. 

If he can't, however, Payton isn't holding any grudges. 

"I’m not mad. I feel like maybe the whole world thought I was mad, though," he wrote. "Because once that game ended, my phone started blowing up—everyone tapping in and checking on me, making sure I wasn’t too upset or too down or whatever. And of course everyone with the Warriors, they’re all such good people and had my back, no question. I had a lot of people pissed on my behalf. And I love them for that. But I was good."

Ja Morant isn't leaving Memphis anytime soon.

The Grizzlies guard was excited about the prospect of potentially signing a contract extension when asked Sunday at his season-ending press conference.

"Memphis is my home. When that conversation comes up, I feel like it'll be in the media for everybody to see," Morant told reporters. "If your answer is, 'Do I wanna be in Memphis?' Hell yeah."

Ja Morant on does he want to be in Memphis “Hell yeah”

There’s your answer for his upcoming extension that he’s expected to sign this summer. pic.twitter.com/AhfCvNlwJe

— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) May 15, 2022

Morant will be eligible for a five-year, $217 million supermax contract this offseason, assuming he makes an All-NBA team (a virtual guarantee). The league's MIP averaged 27.4 points, 6.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds while leading the Grizzlies to a franchise-record 56 wins.

It appears the money won't be an issue for the Grizzlies, as general manager Zach Kleiman told reporters Sunday there won't be "any issues paying anyone who we want to pay" in order to keep the team together.

"There's never going to be any issue with retention here," Kleiman said.

A bone bruise in Morant's knee ended his postseason early, forcing him to miss the final three games of Memphis' second-round series against the Golden State Warriors. He averaged 38.3 points, 8.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds over the first three games of the series.

Offering Morant the full supermax is a no-brainer for the Grizzlies. He's already on the shortlist of the greatest players in franchise history and plays with a superstar flair that's going to make him a marketing goldmine.

As long as Morant wants to stay in Memphis, the Grizzlies will and should spend whatever money possible to keep him around.

Don't expect this to be a complicated negotiation.

Dillon Brooks believes the Memphis Grizzlies' time as the team to beat in the NBA's Western Conference is coming.

After getting eliminated in the second round of the playoffs after a 110-96 loss in Game 6 to the Golden State Warriors on Friday, the Grizzlies wing said the following, per ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz: "We're young, and they're getting old. They know that we are going to come every single year."

Memphis took a huge leap forward this season as the No. 2 seed in the West with a 56-26 record, but it was the experienced and battle-tested Warriors who advanced to the Western Conference Finals.

While Warriors superstar Stephen Curry gave the Grizzlies props after closing them out Friday, he also had some fun with Brooks' comments, telling Sam Amick of The Athletic: "He's said a lot of crazy things. He called himself a dynasty already, so you've got to figure. On to the next round. Western Conference Finals, we're back. Let's goooo!"

The Grizzlies split the first two games of the series with Golden State, but the complexion of the series changed when it was announced after Game 3 that Memphis' superstar point guard Ja Morant was doubtful to return for the rest of the playoffs with a bone bruise to his knee.

Despite that, the Grizzlies battled and nearly pulled off the upset in Game 4 before falling 101-98 and getting pushed to the brink of elimination.

Memphis showed great resolve in Game 5, however, leading by as much as 55 and winning by 39 to stave off elimination and force a Game 6.

Friday's Game 6 was nip and tuck into the fourth quarter, but with veteran sharpshooters Curry and Klay Thompson knocking down big shots for the Warriors, the Grizzlies fell just short.

Brooks expressed his belief that things may have been different if Morant hadn't gotten injured, saying: "A hundred percent. Ja is one of the best point guards in this league—you guys know that—obviously it would change, but we made do with what we had."

The 22-year-old Morant reached superstar status this season and established himself as a legitimate MVP candidate by averaging 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 three-pointers made and 1.2 steals per game during the regular season, while also shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Memphis also had five other players average double figures in scoring this season in Brooks, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., De'Anthony Melton and Brandon Clarke.

Nobody on the Grizzlies' roster is over 28 years of age, and most of the key players are 25 or younger, which may foreshadow a bright future with plenty of postseason success.

Meanwhile, Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green are all over 30, which is why there may have been a sense of urgency for them to make a deep run this season.

Brooks suggested that the way things ended for the Grizzlies this season could be a catalyst for future years, saying: "This is good motivation, good learning, playing against two of the best shooters in history. Going against them was an amazing feeling. It's big for us, and we're going to take this throughout the summer and be ready to do it again."

The Warriors' championship window may not be open for much longer, plus there is no telling how much longer point guard Chris Paul will play, as his retirement would perhaps push the top-seeded Phoenix Suns down in the pecking order.

No team in the NBA appears better equipped to win big over the long term than the Grizzlies, and Brooks' comments suggest he and his teammates are well aware of that.

Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies were eliminated from the 2022 NBA playoffs by the Golden State Warriors on Friday night, but the All-Star point guard is already looking forward to his next showdown with Stephen Curry.

Morant, who missed the final three games of the second-round series with a knee injury, posted a message on Twitter after the season-ending loss:

fav matchup. 💪🏽 looking forward to more battles 30.. https://t.co/qsBkINpjBD

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) May 14, 2022

The 2022 NBA Most Improved Player was off to a tremendous start in the series before the injury. He averaged 38.3 points, 8.3 assists, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 threes and 3.0 steals while shooting 50.6 percent from the field.

Memphis still trailed the series 2-1 despite Morant's standout performances. It split the first two games without him in the lineup but couldn't keep pace with the star-studded Warriors on Friday night.

"Ja is one of the best point guards in this league, so you guys know that obviously it would change," Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks told reporters. "But we made do with what we had."

Klay Thompson led the way for Golden State with 30 points in the series clincher. Curry wasn't far behind with 29.

After injuries derailed the Warriors' last two seasons, they've re-emerged as championship contenders and are now just eight wins away from their fourth title since 2015.

All of the Dubs' key contributors remain under contract for next season, so if the Grizzlies want to get through the West and make a push toward the first championship in franchise history, they'll likely have to get by Curry and Co. at some point in the journey.

"They know that we're going to come every single year," Brooks said. "We're young, they're getting old so they know we're coming every single year."

A healthy Morant is a key piece of the puzzle. Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins said Wednesday the dynamic guard shouldn't require surgery during the offseason, which bodes well for his chances of being ready for the start of the 2022-23 campaign.

Based on Morant's comments after Friday's loss, it sounds like the first thing he'll do after next season's schedule comes out is circle the matchups with Curry.

The Memphis Grizzlies continue to rack up awards after tying a franchise record with 56 wins during the 2021-22 season.

The NBA announced on Thursday that Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman has been named Executive of the Year. 

NBA team basketball executives have selected Memphis Grizzlies Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Zach Kleiman as the winner of the 2021-22 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award, the NBA announced today.

More ➡️ https://t.co/XbxgH6RXZ2 pic.twitter.com/innXghwI5m

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 12, 2022

Kleiman received 16 out of 29 first-place votes and had 85 total points. Koby Altman of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Arteras Karnisovas of the Chicago Bulls tied for second with 27 total points.

Phoenix Suns general manager James Jones and Miami Heat president Pat Riley were the only other executives who received at least three first-place votes. 

Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics, Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors, Jon Horst of the Milwaukee Bucks and Sachin Gupta of the Minnesota Timberwolves all received one first-place vote. 

Grizzlies star Ja Morant was awarded by the NBA as the Most Improved Player for the 2021-22 season. The third-year point guard was named to his first All-Star team and averaged 27.4 points per game on 49.3 percent shooting in 57 games during the regular season. 

Kleiman is the second Grizzlies executive to win this award. Jerry West previously took home the honor during the 2003-04 season after Memphis won 50 games and made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. 

Memphis won its first division title in franchise history this season. Kleiman has been with the organization since 2015. He was named executive vice president of basketball operations in April 2019. 

Morant was Kleiman's first draft pick (No. 2 overall) for the Grizzlies after his promotion. He also traded away franchise icons Mike Conley Jr. and Marc Gasol in the summer of 2019 to start a long-term rebuild that has quickly paid off. They made the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference during the 2020-21 season. 

The Grizzlies posted the second-best record in the NBA this season (56-26). This was the first time they have won at least 50 games since 2014-15.     

Although Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is doubtful to return during the playoffs because of a knee injury, he is not expected to require surgery.

According to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said Wednesday night that Morant won't need surgery on his right knee "from everything he is hearing."

Morant broke out in his third NBA season with 27.4 points, 6.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game for a Grizzlies team that finished second in the Western Conference standings. Along the way, he earned his first-ever All-Star Game appearance.

The former Murray State star guided Memphis to a first-round playoff series win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, which set up a Western Conference semifinal matchup against the Golden State Warriors.

Unfortunately, Morant suffered a bone bruise in his right knee after this moment with Warriors guard Jordan Poole during Memphis' 142-112 loss in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals:

“I was going for the ball. … I’m not even that type of player, I respect everybody. Hopefully he gets better, and we can see him out there next game.”

Jordan Poole on his incident with Ja Morant https://t.co/9rbDxEbzag

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 8, 2022

Morant missed Memphis' Game 4 loss, and the Grizzlies then announced on Tuesday that he would be doubtful for the remainder of the playoffs before declaring him out for Game 5.

The Grizzlies showed a ton of heart in Game 5 with their backs against the wall, as they blew out the Warriors 134-95, cut the series deficit to 3-2 and forced a Game 6.

Without the 22-year-old Morant, the Grizzlies turned to Tyus Jones to start at the point, and he delivered in Game 5 with 21 points and nine assists. Desmond Bane, De'Anthony Melton, Ziaire Williams and John Konchar all saw significant playing time in the backcourt as well.

Jones is a solid player in his own right and excels at both ends of the court, and the Grizzlies did go 20-5 during the regular season sans Morant thanks to their tremendous depth.

Memphis may not get Morant get back during these playoffs, but if he does indeed avoid surgery, he should be good to go for the start of the 2022-23 season.

The Golden State Warriors just got whooped. 

The Memphis Grizzlies obliterated the Dubs on Wednesday night 134-95 in Game 5 of their Western Conference Semifinals matchup. The Warriors still hold a 3-2 lead in the series. 

But for at least one evening, they were a punching bag, both on the court and on the socials:

Grizzlies dance crew singing “Whoop that trick!” in Stephen Curry’s face during Game 5 timeout pic.twitter.com/yxeeCBrHvk

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 12, 2022

https://twitter.com/DaveDuFourNBA/status/1524590477231767553

Embarrassing

— Ann Killion (@annkillion) May 12, 2022

The Warriors should be ashamed of themselves

— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) May 12, 2022

this is one of the worst games I have ever seen

— Golden State of Mind (@unstoppablebaby) May 12, 2022

The 'experienced' Warriors are looking like they've never even heard of playoff intensity and focus

— Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) May 12, 2022

In the fourth quarter of Game 5 in this Western Conference semifinal series between the Warrriors and Grizzlies, Jim Jackson and Ian Eagle are discussing oatmeal.

— Jason Anderson (@JandersonSacBee) May 12, 2022

The burns were justified. The Grizzlies were without superstar point guard Ja Morant, who was listed as doubtful for the remainder of the playoffs Tuesday after being diagnosed with a right knee bone bruise.

Everybody was fair game after the loss, including interim coach Mike Brown, who was filling in for Steve Kerr again after the Warriors head coach tested positive for COVID-19. 

Steve Kerr right now pic.twitter.com/KEOtyE0Mht

— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) May 12, 2022

Warriors definitely been playing with that we got a substitute teacher energy the last two games.

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) May 12, 2022

Warriors doing a Kings impersonation to get Mike Brown ready

— Anthony (@omgitsbirdman) May 12, 2022

How often do you see teams trail by 52 points—yes, 52 points—heading into the fourth quarter in a playoff game, or by as many as 55 points in a contest?

Basically never.

The Grizzlies led by as many as 55 points tonight, the 2nd-largest lead at any point of a playoff game over the last 25 years.

The only larger lead came from the 2009 Nuggets, who led by 58. pic.twitter.com/wMk9eDLQpJ

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 12, 2022

Nothing went well for the Dubs. Steph Curry had just 14 points in 25 minutes, and his night—along with those of the rest of the team's key players—ended midway through the third quarter. Klay Thompson led the way for Golden State with 19 points, but he was also a game-worst minus-45 on the evening in 25 minutes. 

Tyus Jones, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane scored 21 points apiece to lead the Grizzlies. 

Game 6 returns to San Francisco on Friday evening. The Warriors have two days to lick their wounds because Memphis handed them a historic smackdown in Game 5. 

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is expected to miss the remainder of the 2022 NBA playoffs with a knee injury, the team announced Tuesday.

That said, he is expected to make a full recovery. 

Morant was absent for Memphis' Game 4 loss to the Golden State Warriors because of a right knee injury. The injury happened in Game 3, potentially when Jordan Poole caught Morant's knee while going for a loose ball.

Ja was frustrated after an apparent injury on this play.

Hope he's okay 🙏 https://t.co/aXt1GNFkSQ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 8, 2022

However, Morant may have initially hurt the same knee after contesting Klay Thompson's three-point attempt and making contact with him in the third quarter.

This appeared to be the play where Ja Morant actually injured his knee, bumping Klay Thompson on the shot contest.pic.twitter.com/qp8en3k08I

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 8, 2022

Regardless of the mechanism of injury, the Grizzlies lost 101-98 on Monday night to fall behind Golden State 3-1 in the Western Conference semifinals with their best player out. Given the Warriors' slim margin of victory, it's fair to argue Memphis could've evened things up if it had been at full strength.

Now, Taylor Jenkins' squad truly faces an uphill battle against the Warriors with Morant absent. Reeling off three straight wins will be no easy feat, and it becomes nearly impossible with the reigning Most Improved Player sidelined.

Morant was excellent in the regular season, averaging 27.4 points, 6.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds, and his performance in the playoffs has been just as good.

Thanks in part to the injury to the 2022 All-Star, though, a great season for the Grizzlies might be heading toward a disappointing outcome.