By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With the Dallas Mavericks adding to a disappointing 2025-26 campaign on Saturday, 35-year-old Klay Thompson became involved in a brief postgame altercation versus Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies. The 26-year-old point guard was unavailable for Finnish head coach Tuomas Iisalo but vocal. Players and coaches of both sides needed to separate the two players.
“Nothing of intelligent depth,” said the four-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, describing Morant’s deliveries in the heated exchange. “He was just running his mouth. He’s been running his mouth for a long time. It’s funny to run your mouth when you’re on the bench. It’s kind of the story of his career so far. Leaving us wanting more.”
Thompson went for 22 points behind 7/17 from the field, including six three-pointers, but the Mavs were forced down to 5-13 in the NBA Regular Season.
“We all want to see him out there and do his best. But he’s just been letting a lot of other stuff get in the way,” he added on Morant. “We need that in the NBA. We need our best players to be out there. When you’re a star, it comes with a great responsibility. Hate to see that go to waste.”
Crashing a postgame media session of teammate Cam Spencer marked an additional response from the opposite side. “Tell ’em who the best shooter in the house was. It wasn’t bro from Golden State,” said Morant, referring to the 25-year-old guard connecting 6/10 field goals, including three triples, en route to 17 points
The explosive combo guard sat out with a right calf strain, adding to a long list of injury setbacks, combined with multiple league and team suspensions due to various concerning incidents. So far in the NBA Regular Season, he logged 12 appearances, tallying 17.9 points, 7.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.1 blocks per contest, but also growing a strained relationship with head coach Iisalo.