Report: Ja Morant questioned official's integrity, crew chief says

Technical fouls leveled against Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant and leading to his ejection on Saturday night were for profanity toward an official and questioning an official's integrity, ESPN reported later in the night. Morant was tossed with 43 seconds left in the first half of the Grizzlies' 115-109 loss to the host Oklahoma City Thunder. The second technical came as Morant appeared to be talking with fans near courtside. The first technical came just 11 seconds earlier. John Goble, the crew chief, said via a pool reporter that the first T came for Morant's "use of profanity directed at an official." The second was "for making a comment questioning the integrity of an official," he added. Morant acknowledged talking to the fans, but disputed much of what Goble said. "I got my first tech for saying I got hit in my (expletive) face. Didn't curse at him. Another situation where he's in my conversation and I get another tech for talking with a fan. I feel like when these fans came here, went online to buy these tickets, they didn't say Ray [Acosta's] name to come watch," Morant said. Acosta was the official who ejected Morant. Goble said the second technical foul was not the result of Morant talking with fans. Morant, who was averaging 23.7 points per game this season, scored a season-low six with five rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes. --Field Level Media