Ja Morant Says He’s Grateful For ‘The Love’ Jazz Organization, Fans Showed During Game 5
Jun 3, 2021, 2:16 PM | Updated: Dec 8, 2022, 12:13 pm
Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz and Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during Game Four of the Western Conference first round series on May 31, 2021 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Grizzlies star Ja Morant said that he and his family appreciated the way the Jazz and fans at Vivint Arena showed them love during Game 5 of Utah’s playoff series with Memphis.
The Jazz beat the Grizzlies to close-out the first round series, 4-1, on Wednesday, June 2.
Before tip-off, Morant received applause and cheers from the Salt Lake City crowd.
Jazz fans applaud Ja Morant in the starting lineup after Game 2's ugly incident with his mother and father.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 3, 2021
“For them to show the love they did on this trip sits in special place in me and my family’s hearts. We appreciate them,” Morant said of the Jazz.
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The guard’s comments came after Morant’s family was harassed by three individuals at Vivint Arena during Game 2 of the series.
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The three people received bans from Vivint Arena following the incident.
The Jazz issued apologies to the Morant family and the Grizzlies. The organization and All-Star also spoke out against misconduct against players.
Jazz owner Ryan Smith provided Morant’s family with five courtside seats to the game, plus lodging and car service during ahead of the game, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Malika Andrews.
“It’s not everybody,” Morant said of Jazz fans after Game 5.
Following the contest, Morant and Jazz star Donovan Mitchell shared a moment and embrace one another on the court.
Donovan Mitchell just went and talked to Ja Morant's family after the series ended before walking off the floor for the final time.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 3, 2021
Former Grizzlies star and current Jazz guard Mike Conley also had a moment with Morant.
What a fight, @memgrizz 💙 pic.twitter.com/I1A88LffXd
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 3, 2021
Mitchell also spoke with Morant’s father, Tee, after the win. Morant’s father told the Jazz star that he’s rooting for Utah in the postseason.
“I’m going for y’all right now,” Morant’s father told Mitchell. “Why? Y’all didn’t have to do that, y’all didn’t have to show love to us like that. This is what I’m saying, when [things] go bad, and then you reach out, that’s how you bridge a gap.”
"When [things] go bad, and then you reach out, that’s how you bridge a gap.”@memgrizz guard Ja Morant's da Tee says he's rooting for the @utahjazz to win the championship. #TakeNote https://t.co/2rcsB8BCbQ
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 3, 2021
With the Game 5 victory, Mitchell and the Jazz won the series, 4-1.
Utah will play either the Los Angeles Clippers or Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Semifinals.
