Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez did not take kindly to Ja Morant’s antics during Friday night’s game, calling the Memphis Grizzlies star’s behavior “disrespectful” after a heated exchange late in the fourth quarter of Brooklyn’s 135-119 loss.
Fernandez Objects to Trash Talk
With just over a minute left in the game, Morant began directing trash talk toward Fernandez and the Nets’ bench, which escalated tensions between the two teams. Fernandez, in his first year as head coach, expressed frustration during the postgame press conference.
“I will never speak to other players, and I don’t want other players to speak to me,” Fernandez said, according to Clutch Points’ Erik Slater. “If they want to be nice, obviously that’s part of the game. If not, I don’t want any interaction. I think it’s disrespectful—it’s not part of the game.”
On-Court Confrontation
The exchange sparked a confrontation involving Nets guard Dennis Schroder, Morant, and Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins. Referees intervened, handing out technical fouls to all three parties.
Earlier in the game, Morant had already raised eyebrows when he stared down Fernandez after sinking a buzzer-beating jumper just before halftime, further fueling tensions.
Morant Defends His Actions
Morant, who finished the game as the leading scorer with 28 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists, admitted to intentionally stirring the pot but insisted his actions were not malicious.
“I was trolling, just to get them riled up,” Morant told reporters. “I didn’t say nothing crazy. If you look at the video… I was just saying ‘yeah.’ If ‘yeah’ is disrespectful or makes you feel some type of way, then hey, so be it.”
The 25-year-old also claimed he explained to Fernandez that he meant no harm, emphasizing that his behavior was all part of the competitive spirit.
Mixed Reactions from the Nets
While Fernandez and Schroder were visibly upset by Morant’s trash talk, Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith offered a more pragmatic take after the game.
“If we didn’t want them barking, we’ve got to go out there and fight. And we can’t fight with our words. We’ve got to go out there and hit them. And they were the first ones hitting,” Finney-Smith said, per the New York Post’s Brian Lewis.
Postgame Fallout
The Grizzlies’ victory improved their record to 18-8, solidifying their position as second in the Western Conference. The Nets, meanwhile, dropped to 10-15, continuing their struggles this season.
With no remaining regular-season matchups between the two teams, the heated encounter will likely remain unresolved—at least until a potential postseason clash.
As Fernandez and the Nets reflect on the loss, the incident highlights the fine line between gamesmanship and perceived disrespect in the NBA, with opinions divided on where Morant’s actions fall.
