Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Recent timeline of reignited beef between the Lakers and Grizzlies

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Wednesday, 13 November 2024 15:01

There's no love lost between the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies, who face off for the second time this season Wednesday (10 p.m. ET on ESPN).

The two sides memorably matched up in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs, with the Lakers victorious in six games. The series was headlined by the interactions between LeBron James and then-Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks. However, the bad blood between the Western Conference foes started earlier than that.

James and Desmond Bane engaged in trash talk during a January 2022 game, including James yelling at the Memphis guard: "That's your last motherf---ing time. That's your last time disrespecting me."

It created a viral moment, but, over two years later, any potential bad history looked to be in the rearview mirror. At least that's what it seemed until last week.

Memphis defeated Los Angeles 131-114 at home and the beef slightly percolated. Here's a look back at the bad blood between the two sides from that Nov. 6 matchup.

Ja and LeBron exchange gestures

Ja Morant is often in the middle of any dustup with the Lakers. Playing his first game against the team since last January, he came prepared to make noise.

After scoring against Gabe Vincent near the end of the first half, Morant hit the "too small" celebration. One possession later, James responded with his own version of the celebration after scoring over Morant.

The Grizzlies star remembered the moment, trolling James on X with a GIF that ended with someone flashing an "L."


Bane finds a way to jab at James

Bane didn't use the oblique injury that kept him out of the game as an excuse to not throw a shot at James.

Former Lakers guard Scotty Pippen Jr. played a key role in Memphis' win with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists. He also blocked James late in the fourth quarter.

While being interviewed postgame by the Grizzlies broadcast, Bane jumped in and referenced Pippen's defensive play in a petty way.

"Y'all see the way he snatched that ball from that old man over there? From that old man over there?" Bane said, emphasizing the "old man."


Ja keeps it candid postgame

When asked what it was about this Lakers team that got Morant going, he simply said: "I don't like them." He went on to explain his reasoning, referencing the 2023 series and a game late last season.

"They knocked me out of the playoffs," Morant said. "And then last year we had a game, and they came here and popped it on our home floor when I was in street clothes. I wasn't tonight."

The two-time All-Star was pointing to a 123-120 win by the Lakers in the penultimate game of the regular season. After a late steal, James pulled off a reverse dunk and landed right in front of Morant. The two briefly engaged before James chuckled on his way back to the Lakers bench.


James dismisses any bad blood

The back-and-forth between Morant and James wasn't anything more than what the essence of basketball is, according to the Lakers star.

He pointed to the "too small" interactions as "two guys from the inner city that love to compete."

"We all grew up playing on the blacktop, playing outside and competing at a high level when there was no cameras around, it was a bunch of just s--- talking around and playing the game," he said.

With Morant out against the Lakers this week due to an injury, it's unclear how he will contribute to the next chapter in this rising rivalry between Western Conference opponents.

Read 19 times

Soccer

Laporte open to joining injury-hit Real Madrid

Laporte open to joining injury-hit Real Madrid

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAl Nassr defender Aymeric Laporte has said he would listen to an ap...

Ranieri becomes Roma's 3rd coach of season

Ranieri becomes Roma's 3rd coach of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsClaudio Ranieri has been appointed as Roma's third head coach of th...

UEFA Nations League: What's at stake, 2026 World Cup qualifying impact

UEFA Nations League: What's at stake, 2026 World Cup qualifying impact

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe new-look UEFA Nations League (UNL) group stage is coming to a c...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

At 39, LeBron oldest with 3 straight triple-doubles

At 39, LeBron oldest with 3 straight triple-doubles

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- LeBron James recorded the 40th 30-point triple-doubl...

Kings' DeRozan (back tightness) exits win early

Kings' DeRozan (back tightness) exits win early

EmailPrintSACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan was ruled out of Wednesday nigh...

Baseball

Williams' Medal of Freedom, MVP up for auction

Williams' Medal of Freedom, MVP up for auction

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBOSTON -- Ted Williams' Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was pr...

Guardians, AL Central champions, tweak staff

Guardians, AL Central champions, tweak staff

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Guardians manager Stephen Vogt made some tweaks to Cle...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated