Memphis Grizzlies: What Utah Jazz fans said to Ja Morant’s family

In all likelihood, Utah Jazz fans do not like the Memphis Grizzlies. The youngest team in the NBA Playoffs walked into Salt Lake City and stole a win in game one — something that nobody expected, even if the best player on the Jazz was sitting out.

But the Jazz would get their revenge in game 2, a contest that would see the home team drop 144 points against the Grizzlies. Even though questionable officiating helped the Jazz find opportunities, it was a poor performance from Memphis on Wednesday night.

But one player still managed to stand out.

That player is Ja Morant, the Grizzlies’ star point guard. The 21-year old scored 47 points in the game, a new franchise record for the Memphis Grizzlies, playoffs or not. With this outburst, Morant made himself the highest scorer ever in a player’s first two playoff games.

The Jazz did not have an answer for the young magician. Fans were upset, and rightfully so. But what they did to voice their frustration cannot be excused.

Utah Jazz fans shouted racist and sexist remarks at Ja Morant’s family

That said, nothing will excuse what Jazz fans said to Ja Morant’s family while they were watching the game. As a warning, these things are highly upsetting, so take caution as you continue through this article.

ESPN spoke with Ja Morant’s father, who shed some light on the comments said by Utah Jazz fans that led to permanent bans from their basketball games. Tee Morant described the comments made by Utah fans as “beyond heckling,” calling comments toward his family disrespectful.

Here’s an excerpt from ESPN’s article.

"Tee Morant said one fan made a sexually explicit remark to his wife, Jamie. Tee Morant, who was sitting a couple of seats over, confronted the man before security deescalated the situation, ejecting the Jazz fan."

The NBA has seen some issues with fans crossing a line in this year’s NBA Playoffs, almost as if they have forgotten how to act in public after an elongated absence from being up close and personal at NBA games. This, however, might be the worst of it thus far.

Tee Morant should not have to get up multiple times (yes, he had to call security three times) while watching his son play a game of basketball. The fact that we live in a world where this still happens is sickening.

Here are some other comments made by Utah Jazz fans on the night:

"“Shut the f— up, b—-”"

"“I’ll put a nickel in your back and watch you dance, boy”"

Even more jarringly, the last comment was allegedly made by a man who had his young daughter with him at the game. It’s simply disgusting.

This is the type of situation that makes you wish this man wasn’t just banned from attending games, but banned from ever watching the NBA again. Or banned from speaking again. Thankfully, the Utah Jazz acted fast, banning each of these individuals from games indefinitely.

The Morant family has received a lot of support, notably from Donovan Mitchell, who summed it up in a tweet.

The Morant family did note that there were other Utah Jazz fans at the game who talked trash in a healthier, friendly way. Hopefully, more fans will follow in their footsteps in game 3.