SAN FRANCISCO – The Memphis GrizzliesThey are worried about their star point-guard Ja MorantIn a devastating loss to Golden State, he was forced to leave the court after five minutes. Jordan PooleMorant's right knee was caught during a trap at halfcourt.
Morant left without speaking with reporters. Instead, he tweeted “broke code” with video of Poole gripping his knee on a fourth-quarter game. Poole deleted the tweet later. Following Saturday's 142-112 Game 3 loss to Memphis at Chase center, Morant could been seen limping toward the team bus.
The team didn't specify the nature of Morant’s injury, but said that the point guard was currently being evaluated.
Memphis forward: “We're going riding for our own,” Jaren Jackson Jr. When asked about their feelings about the match with Poole, they replied: “You're familiar with our mentality. Make a play on it, it's unfortunate. This is the type of thing you don't want to see. This is not something you want to do. Nobody is like that. It's just unfortunate.
Jackson stated, “You are familiar with the code. At this point, you can talk about the code throughout the series.
Poole stated that he was not the type of player to deliberately hurt anyone. Poole Andrew WigginsMorant was caught near halfcourt and Wiggins was called out for a foul at 6:55. Morant would be out at 6:19 and the Warriors led by 17. Before he was able to walk back to the locker area, the Warriors had 17 points.
Poole said, “It was a basketball game when we doubled him.” “And I hit that ball, and I was trying to get the ball. It's obvious that you don’t want to see anyone get hurt. I'm not that kind of player. Everyone is respected.”
Poole stated that he hoped he would get better and that he could be out there in the next game. That's not how I play. It's not my kind of game.”
Jackson's comment was in reference, along with Morant's initial tweet about Steve Kerr, Golden State head coach, saying that Memphis would move forward Dillon BrooksHe “broke the Code” when he hit Gary Payton IIPayton II fractured his elbow after being caught in midair in Game 2. Brooks was ejected and given a flagrant two-foul. After further review by league officials, Brooks was later suspended for Game 3.
Taylor Jenkins, Memphis coach, said that Morant is being evaluated. “Nothing further. We only watched the replay. Jordan Poole was trying to catch a dribble. He actually grabbed his knee, and yanked it. That kind of triggers whatever happened.
Jenkins answered a question about whether Poole's grab was deliberate. It didn't happen intentionally, Jenkins said. “I said that the play took place.”
“There was a grab. I am just curious about what happened.”
Morant played a sensational game throughout this series before being forced to leave. In just 36 minutes, he scored 34 points, had seven assists and made three steals. This came after his Game 2 win in Memphis, which saw him score 47 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and said that he could not see clearly from his left eye because he was hit in the eye during the second half. Morant scored the team's 15 final points in Game 2.
In Game 1, he had 34 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds.
“It is unfortunate,” said a teammate. Desmond Bane, who has been fighting a back issue this season. “Ja is clearly having a fantastic series. Jordan Poole reached out to Jordan Poole and grabbed his knee, causing something like this to occur. It is possible to control it, but it is not something you can control.
Guard the Warriors Klay ThompsonIt was refuted that Poole or any Warrior were trying to injure Morant, or anyone else.
Thompson stated, “Me personally I've suffered a difficult knee injury.” “And I don’t think there’s any malicious intention from Jordan. He's not even my kind of guy. [Poole]Strong enough to touch someone's knee. We're not trying to harm people or club people in the head during a fast break. We play the game right and I will have his back.”
Grizzlies point guard De'Anthony MeltonMorant says he has overcome injuries in the past and will be ready to participate in Game 4 on Monday.
Melton stated, “I mean we have seen Ja heal as Wolverine out here.” He can limp one day and be fine the next. He is both a competitor and a warrior. It is hard to know where his injury level is. He knows his body well and is ready to make the best possible decision for the team.
