SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Memphis goalkeeper Ja Morant is unlikely to play in match 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against Golden State on Monday night after injuring his right knee in a game with Jordan Poole, which the teams are arguing about from 142- they lost to the Grizzlies 112 on Saturday night.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said on Sunday he did not expect Morant to be available, with Memphis trailing Warriors 2-1 in the best of seven.
“Like I said last night, I was just trying to be a fact here, and that’s what Ja says, what our medical team said after reviewing the game, Ja played great, he felt great throughout the game and that catching his knee is what caused the potential injury and why we took Ja out of the game. “Nothing has changed since then,” Jenkins said. “It’s the game that caused this and he has an extra rating. … There’s probably a really good chance he won’t play tomorrow. “
Jenkins said Morant, who limped with 6:19 left in the game, failed to play basketball on Sunday.
“If he can’t go, we get together as a team and that’s what we’re focused on,” Jenkins said. “We are not trying to get involved in stories. That’s why I’m just saying that this injury was caused by this game. I will not go into more detail beyond that. And then the fact that our team throughout the season has risen to the point where someone is out. Apparently Ja was absent for a few games and our boys got stronger wonderfully. “
Morant left Chase Center without speaking to reporters, but posted and later deleted a video of the game on his Twitter show with the words “broke the code,” a reference Warriors coach Steve Kerr used four days earlier when he was heavy. Dylan Brooks foul in game 2 by Gary Peyton II.
Poole and Andrew Wiggins pounced on Morant as he dribbled to the top of the 3-point arc as Morant struggled to maintain his possession – and Poole called it a basketball game as he walked towards the ball.
Kerr shrugged several times on Sunday when asked about it, saying he saw no need to discuss the latest franchise relationship.
“I have nothing to do with it. I have nothing to comment on. I was watching the tape, “Kerr said. “… No, I do not take it personally. I watched the play, I have nothing to comment on. “
Grizzlies guard Thais Jones called it an “interesting” game, but said he did not believe Poole had any malicious intent to hurt Morant.
“Ja’s spirit is good. Obviously. he is disappointed. “Every time you’re hurt or hit, you’re disappointed,” Jones said. “… The play I just think was an interesting play. I don’t think Poole or anyone in this series is necessarily a dirty player on this issue. But it was just an interesting play. That’s all I can really say on the subject. It wasn’t a normal game that usually happens, but I don’t think he was trying to injure 12 in any way. “
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