In a candid interview, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant talks about why he didn't want the pressures and stressors of superstardom.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/grizzlies as Ja Morant Opens Up About 'Face of the NBA' Label. Since Ja Morant burst onto the scene in the 2019-20 season and won Rookie of the Year, he has been one of the NBA's best and most talked-about players.

Morant has been mentioned in a group of young players who have the superstar ability to take over when LeBron James and Steph Curry retire.

Ja Morant and Kendrick Perkins likely won't be sending each other holiday greeting cards this year. The Memphis Grizzlies point guard responded to the ESPN's commentator's discussion about the network's coverage of the player and team with a post on social media:

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/grizzlies as Ja Morant Calls Out Kendrick Perkins After Recent Controversial Comments.

Ja Morant clapped back at the former NBA star, Kendrick Perkins, who brought back the Grizzlies star's off-court trouble in a podcast.

Prior to the Memphis Grizzlies taking on the Miami Heat, Ja Morant is listed as questionable battling an ankle injury.

Perkins’ commentary on Morant shifted from full praise to criticism, which he believes caused some tension with the Grizzlies’ top players. He emphasized that he was once one of Morant’s biggest supporters but suggested that Ja didn’t take well to criticism, souring a once positive relationship.

Ja Morant escaped the defense of Jeremiah Fears and then ran out the clock while playfully pointing at him during Grizzlies vs. Pelicans.

The Memphis Grizzlies suffered one of the worst losses to start the 2025-26 NBA season on Friday, losing by 32 points to the Miami Heat in a game that was out o