When Jaren Jackson Jr. hit a 3-pointer early in the Grizzlies’ game against the Thunder on Jan. 9, there was only one way for him to celebrate.
Jackson immediately hit Ja Morant’s “block out the noise” celebration, paying homage to his fellow star on what might go down as a monumental day for the franchise. News broke earlier in the day that the Grizzlies would consider trade offers for Morant, potentially signaling a path toward the end of an era of Grizzlies basketball.
Jackson, who like Morant has played his entire career with the Grizzlies, reflected postgame on what the partnership has meant to him.
“The business of basketball, it takes a toll,” Jackson said. “And I told him too, I think we’ve seen it all. I think we’ve seen so many different things. But, you know, that’s my brother. I’m always feeling for him. Yeah, man. It’s just a tough thing, man. But he showed up to the game, he’s still around. You can understand the mood, something like that. And just, especially with someone like him, who’s just viral for freaking anything, it’s just intense, man.
“We’re all growing up in the public eye, but it’s just intense. I feel for him. That’s my brother. That side of the game plays out like it plays out. No matter what, he changed my life coming here. You know who he is.”
Morant missed the game with a calf contusion. It was his fourth straight missed game, and it isn’t clear how long he could be out. The Grizzlies led by as many as 21 points against the Thunder but collapsed down the stretch in an eventual 117-116 loss.
The loss capped a long day for the Grizzlies, who had to deal with the Morant news and then quickly turn around to face the defending NBA champion (albeit against a Thunder team that was missing multiple key players, including reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander).
“I’m not going to say I didn’t expect it, and I’m going to say I was expecting it,” Grizzlies forward GG Jackson said about the Morant news. “I kind of thought things would just mellow over and get back to him being on the floor with us. Right now, I really don’t have no reaction. He still comes in the facility smiling with us, doesn’t let any of the outside noise affect him.”
Morant still sat on the bench during the game.
“Obviously we love Ja over here,” guard Jaylen Wells said.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Grizzlies players said about Ja Morant trade speculation
