Ja Morant 's injured calf hasn't stopped him from running his mouth, recently getting into it with the Dallas Mavericks ' veteran wingman Klay Thompson , whom he reportedly called a "bum."
This struck a chord with former NBA champion and now popular media personality Matt Barnes — a staunch defender of Morant — who called the young guard out for putting more energy into nonsensical conflicts than into getting back on the court to reclaim his status as one of the league's most promising young stars.
Barnes has been vocal about his support for Morant and his potential, often praising him and, at times, defending him in interviews. However, this recent incident tested Barnes' patience, especially since he knew the player Morant attacked.
"Klay Thompson to me is one of the most coolest, down-to-earth, nicest, doesn't bother, don't f—k with nobody, plays with his dogs, and goes on his boats," Matt said on the "All The Smoke" podcast. "Klay, obviously, after having the two injuries he had, Klay is not the same guy. But I hate to see these young dudes talking s—t."
Klay has spent most of his career as one-half of the famed "Splash Brothers," forming a deadly perimeter duo with the legendary Stephen Curry on the Golden State Warriors . After winning four NBA championships, Klay moved to the Mavs and has fallen on hard times, averaging a career-low 11.1 points on 37.4 percent shooting.
Apparently, Ja thought kicking a man while he was down was a great idea.
"I be trying to give Morant so much grace. Like, I f—k with Ja, bro. We used to — we was riding for him at one point, dog. Riding hard. We was riding hard for boy at one point, man. But he be doing — he be doing some b—ch-a— s—t, bro," Barnes stressed.
"Whatever he's being, it's just like, bro, like we be trying to defend you more than maybe we should because I see what the potential… and let's not forget the trajectory he was on. He just be doing some corny s—t," he emphasized.
Barnes said he understands the animosity between Morant and Thompson stemming from the contentious rivalry between the Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies a few years ago. However, he urged the high-flying guard to let go of these extracurriculars and focus his energy on achieving just half of what Thompson has accomplished in his career.
"He has to pray to however many gods that he has a slice of the career that Klay has had," Matt exclaimed. "With four championships, and at one time being, you know, a top two or three two-way guy in the game."
What was once a career teeming with potential has now evolved into one filled with uncertainty. This season, Ja has not only performed poorly (17.9 points on 35.9 percent shooting), but he has also gotten into it with the Grizzlies' coaching staff. The podcast's co-host, Stephen Jackson , speculated that it feels like Ja is more eager to prove he's a tough guy than an All-Star.
"It's a difference between a hard dude and a stand-up man. You know what I'm saying? And I'm going to keep it real with you: at one point in my younger years, yeah, I wanted people to know I'm hard. But now I'm standing as a man," Stak explained.
"Point blank. Make better decisions. Like Klay say, be accountable and have more respect for other people, bro," Jackson accentuated.
At only 26, Ja still has time to turn his career around. However, as former NBA guard Austin Rivers pointed out, it all starts with returning to the hardwood floor and playing the brand of basketball that many believed would make him a future superstar. After that, the narrative may return to basketball rather than all the off-court shenanigans.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
