Blake Griffin questions Ja Morant’s $40M contract after saying he quit on defense against Luka Dončić during the Grizzlies’ loss to Lakers [VIDEO]
Blake Griffin’s on-air critique of Ja Morant sparks debate over effort, leadership, and Memphis’s ceiling
Blake Griffin’s return to the basketball spotlight isn’t coming through dunk highlights — it’s through honesty. During Amazon Prime’s October 31 post-game coverage of the Memphis Grizzlies’ 117–112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Griffin broke down Ja Morant’s sluggish performance with unflinching precision. The former All-Star didn’t mince words, pointing out Morant’s lack of hustle and leadership against Luka Dončić in what became one of the most dissected NBA moments of Halloween night.
Morant, still Memphis’s franchise cornerstone at 26, finished with just eight points on 3-of-14 shooting. The low stat line wasn’t the story — it was how disengaged he looked doing it. From half-speed cuts to corner loafing, the effort level clashed with the intensity of Luka Dončić’s 44-point domination. Griffin called it exactly what fans saw: a superstar playing without urgency.
Blake Griffin Breaks Down The Film
The Prime Video broadcast featured Griffin alongside Udonis Haslem, both known for bringing substance over theatrics. Griffin began his segment with measured disappointment: “I didn’t love what I saw from Ja tonight. This is a guy who’s insanely talented.” Then came the footage — slow-motion angles of Morant jogging through plays, passing out of screens without attacking, and coasting to the corner while the Lakers capitalized.
On one possession, Griffin pointed out, Morant let Luka Dončić slip behind him for an uncontested basket. On another, he drifted out of the play completely, chatting with Marcus Smart instead of repositioning. “For a guy who makes $40 million and needs to be the leader of this team,” Griffin said, leaning forward on set, “that’s just not what’s going to get it done for Memphis.”
He paused briefly to acknowledge what viewers were thinking — maybe Ja wasn’t healthy, maybe something was off. But the takeaway was firm: the Grizzlies can’t rise if their star refuses to lead by example.
The $40 Million Leadership Question
Morant’s max contract — worth nearly $197 million over five years — puts him in the upper echelon of NBA earners. Griffin’s words struck a chord because they carried weight: he’s not an outsider throwing shade, but a veteran who’s been both the franchise savior and the guy on the receiving end of criticism.
“The Memphis Grizzlies will only go as far as Ja Morant takes them,” Griffin concluded. “When he’s locked in, he’s unbelievable. But that type of effort tonight? You can’t win with that.” Haslem, sitting beside him, nodded in agreement: “We’d have had words in that Miami locker room.”
The moment wasn’t framed as malice — it was accountability, delivered by players who built their reputations on effort. And in today’s highlight-obsessed culture, that honesty stood out.
Numbers Back Griffin’s Critique
The analytics echo Griffin’s eye test. According to 2024–25 Synergy Sports data, Morant’s defensive rating drops by 5.2 points per 100 possessions in games where he logs fewer than two deflections — a clear correlation between engagement and team performance. Against the Lakers, his single rebound and one steal reflected the same apathy visible on tape.
Meanwhile, Luka Dončić torched Memphis with 44 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, often exploiting mismatches when Morant was switched onto him. Memphis’s defensive energy lagged across the board, but the lack of pressure from its point guard — its engine — was glaring.
The Grizzlies fell to 2–4 on the season after the loss, with analysts noting that effort, not talent, was holding them back. As Griffin summarized, “When Ja’s coasting, everyone else coasts.”
Ja Morant’s Response — and What It Reveals
Post-game, Morant’s frustration was visible. When asked about his performance, he deflected blame toward the coaching staff, saying, “Ask them what went wrong. According to them, probably don’t play me.” It was a cryptic, defensive statement that hinted at deeper tension inside the locker room — maybe over usage, maybe over accountability.
Fans quickly connected Griffin’s comments with those remarks, interpreting them as evidence that Morant isn’t handling criticism well. On X (formerly Twitter), users flooded timelines with mixed takes: admiration for Griffin’s delivery, frustration with Ja’s attitude, and sympathy for a star under scrutiny.
Fans Agree: Blake Griffin Is The Analyst The NBA Needs
For many viewers, Griffin’s calm, fact-based approach felt like a throwback to a pre-hot-take era. “Blake Griffin is really good on TV. So glad he didn’t end up on ESPN,” one fan wrote, echoing a key sentiment that earned over 5,000 likes. Another called it “what real analysis sounds like — no screaming, just accountability.”
Dozens of fans reposted clips captioned “Blake keeping it real” and “Constructive criticism done right.” Even critics of Morant admitted Griffin’s delivery made the point land without sounding personal. One X user summarized the reaction best: “Blake Griffin told no lies. Ja’s body language screams frustration.”
The Cultural Subtext: Effort, Image, and Identity
Beyond basketball, this story taps into something bigger — image. Ja Morant’s public perception has swung wildly over the past two seasons, from Nike cover boy to cautionary tale. After multiple suspensions and controversies, his return to the court this year was supposed to mark redemption. Instead, Griffin’s critique reignited the same conversation: talent without effort isn’t leadership.
For Memphis, a team built on grit, that message cuts deeper. The Grizzlies’ “Grindhouse” reputation comes from players like Tony Allen and Zach Randolph — blue-collar competitors who fought for every possession. Morant’s skill electrifies fans, but nights like this erode the city’s identity. Griffin’s message wasn’t just for Ja; it was for Memphis.
What’s Next for Morant and the Grizzlies
If there’s any silver lining, it’s that public accountability sometimes fuels comebacks. Morant has responded to criticism before — often explosively. When ESPN questioned his All-Star case in 2022, he dropped 46 points the next night. Whether he channels Griffin’s comments into the same motivation remains to be seen.
The Grizzlies’ next stretch of games will test that resolve. With key matchups against Denver and Phoenix ahead, Morant’s leadership will determine if this critique becomes a turning point or another viral talking point. For Griffin, his analysis may have set a new standard — the rare mix of honesty, respect, and edge the NBA conversation desperately needs.