Overview
- Ja Morant returned from a one-game team suspension for conduct detrimental to the team and Memphis fell to 3-6 after a 124–109 loss to Houston.
- Morant gave terse answers earlier in the week and said he had lost his joy, then struck a more accountable tone Wednesday, saying he must be better and that poor spacing is limiting Jaren Jackson Jr.
- Video from the Rockets game showed Kevin Durant telling Tee Morant, “Your son don’t wanna be here,” a clip that circulated widely and intensified public scrutiny.
- Betting markets list the Kings as early favorites to land Morant, and reporting links Sacramento and Minnesota as monitoring the situation, with broader interest discussed around Miami and others.
- Multiple outlets report the Rockets are unlikely to pursue a trade right now and are in a holding pattern, and Marc Stein notes Memphis is still evaluating rather than moving quickly on any blockbuster.