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On Tuesday night, LA Clippers forward Marcus Morris was ejected after a dangerous foul sent high-flying Grizzlies guard Ja Morant to the ground.
As Morant sped through the lane to sky for a layup, Morris clipped him mid-air, resulting in an awkward landing that caused the crowd at Memphis’ FedEx Forum to hold its collective breath before raining boos on LA’s forward.
While Morant was ultimately OK, the foul, which was deemed a Flagrant 2, resulted in the automatic ejection of Morris.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins called the play “dangerous,” adding that the Flagrant 2 designation was the correct call.
Taylor Jenkins on the Marcus Morris foul: “That’s a dangerous play. The refs reviewed it and made the correct call.” Said Ja was vulnerable in the air, and you have to protect your teammates and players
— Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA) February 9, 2022
Forward Brandon Clarke, who entered the league with Morant, cited the team’s history with Morris as the reason the bench needed to be restrained after the play transpired.
Brandon Clarke on the Marcus Morris foul and why Jenkins held everyone back on the bench: “Remember what happened 2 years ago? And who did it? That’s why”
— Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA) February 9, 2022
Clarke is referring to an incident that occurred when Morris, a member of the Knicks at the time, was involved in an on-court incident that began with then-Grizzlies forward Jae Crowder and Elfrid Payton.
Morris, who shoved Morant during the dust-up at Madison Square Garden, also had choice words for the Grizzlies following that game.
Despite the history between Morris and Morant, Memphis’ All-Star guard maintains that he’s “cool” with both Morris twins and was unaffected by the foul due to playing on concrete all his life.
Ja Morant said he’s not worried about the flagrant from Marcus Morris, said he’s cool with “Morris brothers” and that he’s been playing on concrete all his life pic.twitter.com/0LneuKHtsa
— Law Murray ? (@LawMurrayTheNU) February 9, 2022
Although Morant was fine, Tuesday’s foul adds to Morris’ history of plays that toe the line of physical and dirty.
Will Marcus Morris’ ejection lead to suspension? Exploring history following Flagrant 2 on Ja Morant
While a Flagrant 2 results in an automatic ejection, it does not necessarily result in an automatic suspension.
When reviewing such plays, the league often cites a player’s history. Morris was last disciplined for a foul in September 2020.
In the 2020 NBA Playoffs, Morris became a thorn of the side of the Mavericks, using his physicality to make things difficult for superstar Luka Doncic.
In a series in which he baited Kristaps Porzingis into an ejection, Morris was ejected in Game 6 after striking Doncic, a foul that was ruled a Flagrant 2, as a hostile act that was a non-basketball play.
Earlier in the series, Morris drew the ire of Doncic after appearing to intentionally step on the injured ankle of the Mavericks star guard.
Known for his toughness, Morris is a physically imposing player at 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds.
With his physicality, Morris has often challenged players, engaging in on-court dust-ups with the likes of Joel Embiid, Bobby Portis, Ben Simmons and Tristan Thompson.
Morris’ play against Morant is unquestionably on the side of dangerous but fortunately, did not result in an injury.
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