Ja Morant turns Klay Thompson into the target of his irony

Even while sidelined and dressed in street clothes, Ja Morant once again became the headline act in the NBA. The Grizzlies’ guard didn’t need minutes on the floor to steal the spotlight. After Memphis’ 102-96 victory over Dallas, he aimed a sharp jab at Klay Thompson, who had misfired on a crucial long-range shot in the final seconds.

The game heated up in the third quarter when Santi Aldama knocked down Cooper Flagg, prompting an immediate reaction from Klay Thompson as he stepped in to defend his young teammate. With the score tight, the veteran attempted a deep three with 17 seconds left, but the shot fell short and sealed the Mavericks’ defeat.

Morant, present even in absence

Memphis held firm thanks to a collective effort and the spark from Cam Spencer, who came off the bench to score 17 points and drain three triples. During Spencer’s postgame interview, Ja Morant jumped in to praise his teammate while also taking a swipe at Klay Thompson. “Tell them who was the best shooter in the house. It wasn’t the guy from Golden State,” Morant quipped. The line, reported by Sportingnews, lit up social media and reinforced the growing rivalry between the two stars.

FULL MOMENT: Ja Morant calls Klay Thompson a “bum” as the two exchange words after the final buzzer pic.twitter.com/B9SepONnHj

— NBAbzy (@nbabzyy) November 23, 2025

Ja Morant has missed four of the last five games due to a right calf strain and will be reevaluated in two weeks. Still, his influence in the locker room remains undeniable. The guard continues to play a vocal, protective role for his teammates. Even amid a season marked by tension with the coaching staff. In fact, he was recently suspended for one game after publicly questioning head coach Tuomas Iisalo.

The situation in Memphis is far from simple. But Ja Morant’s presence on the bench—encouraging and defending his teammates—has coincided with a small two-game winning streak.

Thompson caught between frustration and pressure

For Klay Thompson, now in Dallas after his storied run with the Warriors. The episode highlighted the pressure of leading a rebuilding team. His missed three-pointer symbolized a tough night, and Ja Morant’s jab added an extra layer of tension that will surely fuel future encounters.

Klay Thompson & Ja Morant exchanging words. 👀🍿

pic.twitter.com/QGKCAOfzV6

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 23, 2025

Close wins, provocative gestures, and sharp one-liners that turn into headlines are the essence of the league. Ja Morant, even without playing, proved he remains one of the NBA’s biggest narrative drivers. Klay Thompson, meanwhile, will have to respond on the court to ensure the story doesn’t end with Morant’s mockery.

The postgame scene was discussed as much as the final score itself. Whenever Ja Morant and Klay Thompson cross paths, the spectacle is guaranteed—on the hardwood and beyond.