During the Memphis Grizzlies’ 112–108 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night, tensions spilled beyond the court as Kevin Durant and Tee Morant, father of Grizzlies star Ja Morant, engaged in a hilarious verbal exchange that underscored the franchise’s ongoing internal drama.
Leaked audio circulating online shows Durant directing a pointed comment toward Tee Morant from the sideline:
“Your son don’t wanna be here, we know it’s your last weekend. Enjoy your time.”
“Your son don’t wanna be here, we know it’s your last weekend. Enjoy your time”
– KD to Tee Morant
(h/t @Stunna999_ / @Fullcourtpass )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 6, 2025
The moment added fuel to growing speculation about Ja Morant’s future in Memphis and his deteriorating relationship with the team.
Morant, who returned from a one-game suspension earlier this week, has been visibly frustrated with the team’s direction under new head coach Tuomas Iisalo. The suspension stemmed from a postgame confrontation with Iisalo following a loss to the Lakers, during which Morant reportedly challenged the coach’s leadership and refused to elaborate on his performance.
Since then, Morant has made cryptic comments about his emotional state and commitment to the team. After Monday’s loss to Detroit, he told reporters:
“No, I don’t have my joy back… We’ll see.”
He also responded sarcastically when asked about his relationship with the organization:
“Yeah… they told y’all that, right?”
The Grizzlies have dropped four straight games and sit at 3–6 on the season. Morant is averaging a career-low 29.4 minutes per game and shooting just 39.3% from the field, including a troubling 13.9% from three-point range. The team’s chemistry appears fractured, and sources close to the organization suggest that trade talks involving Morant may be quietly gaining traction.
Coach Iisalo has declined to comment on the specifics of the suspension or Morant’s recent statements, saying only that the matter is being handled internally.
