Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has delivered electrifying performances when healthy this season, but his availability has been a recurring issue. Morant has already missed 18 games, sparking concerns about his “reckless” playing style and its potential toll on his body.
NBA legend Charles Barkley addressed these concerns during Monday’s episode of Inside the NBA. While he praised Morant’s talent and fearlessness, Barkley expressed worries about the long-term impact of the guard’s aggressive approach to the game.
“My only concern with him is he’s a little too reckless for me. He can’t be running at them big bodies like that, because he’s gonna get hurt. Big bodies gonna hurt little bodies. He’s got to learn to shoot a little floater. He’s got to quit trying to dunk on people, because little bodies are always going to get hurt by big bodies,” Barkley said.
"My only concern with him is he's a little too reckless for me. He can't be running into them big bodies like that because he gonna get hurt. … He gotta quit trying to dunk on people."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 20, 2025
Charles Barkley on Ja Morant's playing style 🗣️
(via @NBAonTNT)pic.twitter.com/JBJq6wN65s
“I love the kid. I love the fact that he’s fearless. But sometimes he’s going to have to take a step back and not take those body blows,” he added.
Anthony Edwards Calls Guarding Ja Morant “Super Hard” After Close Win
Ja Morant made a strong return to the Memphis Grizzlies lineup, helping his team secure a narrow 108-106 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. After the game, Anthony Edwards shared his honest take on guarding Morant on the court.
“It’s hard to guard him, because you don’t know which way he’s going to go. A lot of people think he always wants to go left, but he really wants that spin move, too. So it’s like I’m trying to cut off the left hand and the spin move. It’s super hard. It’s super fun, man,” Edwards said.
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After missing the previous game, Morant’s presence was vital in the closely contested game against Minnesota. The Grizzlies star logged 30 minutes on the court, contributing 19 points, five rebounds, and six assists.
