Warriors trounced the Grizzlies 142–112 to take a 2–1 series lead. However, the game’s suspense persisted even after the final horn sounded.
Ja Morant was forced to leave the game due to a knee injury he sustained after Warriors guard Jordan Poole grabbed his knee while trying for the ball.
Following the game, Morant deleted a tweet that indicated he was unhappy with the Warriors.
He tweeted, “‘Broke the code.”
Ja Morant reacted to Jordan Poole grabbing his knee.
(via @JaMorant) pic.twitter.com/9XhvkPfYxG
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 8, 2022
In game 2, Steve Kerr’s reaction to Dillon Brooks’ strong foul on Gary Payton II was dubbed “the code.”
Brooks “broke the code” by fouling Payton in mid-air, according to Kerr, who believes it was a dirty play.
In his postgame news conference, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins addressed the Morant play, claiming that Poole’s grab aggravated Morant’s injury.
Jenkins told, “We just viewed the replay.”
“He was going for a dribble and Jordan Poole grabbed his knee and yanked it, which sparked whatever happened, so I’m going to be very interested to see what happens next.”
Jenkins, on the other hand, stopped short of stating he thought it was deliberate.
“I have no idea what goes through your heads. I didn’t say it happened on purpose.”
He said, “I stated the play happened. A grab occurred. I’m just interested as to what occurred.”
When asked about the incident, Poole maintained it was just a “basketball play” and that he would never purposely injure another player.
“Of course, you don’t want to see anyone get wounded. That’s not even my style of play.”
He stated, “I respect everyone.”
“Hopefully he improves and we’ll see him out there the next game. I don’t even pretend to play like that. That isn’t my kind of game.”
Warriors and Grizzlies will resume their series in San Francisco on Monday night after a day off, though it is too early to say whether Morant will play.
