A Twitter post by @JaMorant showed the Memphis Grizzlies star reacting emotionally to reports that his former teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. may miss the rest of the 2025-2026 season. Jackson is scheduled for surgery to remove a localized growth in his left knee.
The news broke shortly after Jackson was traded, with NBA insiders reporting that the recovery time would likely sideline him for the remainder of the Grizzlies’ campaign. Morant, who shared years of success with Jackson in Memphis, posted heart emojis and words of encouragement.
Jackson has been a cornerstone for the Grizzlies since 2018, and his absence is a major blow to a team already struggling through a difficult season. The injury has also raised questions about the medical evaluations conducted prior to recent trade discussions.
This injury effectively ends any hope for a late-season Grizzlies surge. For Morant, who has had his own share of turmoil recently, this loss of a “running mate” further isolates him as the franchise enters what looks like an inevitable rebuilding phase.
* Newsweek (Website): “Ja Morant reacted to the news shortly after, sending love to his former running mate.”
* Chris Haynes (NBA Insider): “The expectation is that Jaren Jackson Jr. will undergo surgery and miss the rest of the season.”
Source: Newsweek — https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nba/ja-morant-shows-support-jaren-jackson-injury-news-11517016 February 13, 2026
Photo Credit: Newsweek
Tag: Memphis Grizzlies
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Ja Morant Sends Love to Jaren Jackson Jr. Following Season-Ending Injury News
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Jaren Jackson Jr. Departs Memphis in Massive Eight-Player Jazz Overhaul
In a report by NBC Sports, the Memphis Grizzlies have officially signaled the end of an era by trading former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz. The complex eight-player deal sees Memphis receiving a haul of players including Kyle Anderson and Taylor Hendricks, along with three coveted first-round picks, as the franchise begins a total “teardown” and rebuild.
The trade has sent shockwaves through the league, as Jackson was long considered the defensive anchor of the Grizzlies’ “Grit and Grind” 2.0 era. For the Utah Jazz, the move represents a bold step away from their patient rebuilding phase, locking in “JJJ” for at least three seasons at a staggering average of over $50 million per year.
Kurt Helin of NBC Sports analyzed the move, writing, “The Memphis Grizzlies realized that the Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. era had run its course.” Supporting this, The Source noted the seismic shift in team dynamics, stating, “Memphis receives a dozen first-round picks in total… signaling a total rebuild.”
Echotitbits take:
Memphis is pulling the plug on a project that many thought was one piece away from a title. By trading Jackson, they are essentially betting their entire future on those dozen draft picks. For the Jazz, this is a “win-now” statement that puts immense pressure on Jackson to stay healthy and maintain his elite defensive production.
Source: NBC Sports — https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/winners-losers-from-jaren-jackson-jr-trade-to-utah February 3, 2026
Photo Credit: Bleacher Report
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Anthony Edwards Set to Dominate Injury-Ravaged Grizzlies in NBA Monday Action
In a post shared by Covers.com, NBA superstar Anthony Edwards is predicted to have a massive night as the Minnesota Timberwolves take on a depleted Memphis Grizzlies squad. “Ant-Man” has been on a tear, shooting nearly 45% from three-point range over the last month, and analysts expect him to exploit a Grizzlies defense that has struggled significantly due to a “horror show” injury report.
The Grizzlies have lost 13 of their last 16 games and currently allow the fifth-most three-pointers in the league. Despite a subpar shooting night in their previous encounter where he went 1-for-6 from deep, Edwards still managed to drop 33 points. Tonight’s rematch is seen as a prime opportunity for him to hit his stride from downtown, with betting markets heavily favoring his “Over 3.5 threes” prop.
In other NBA news, the Cleveland Cavaliers have completed a three-team trade involving the Kings and Bulls to acquire former Alabama guard Keon Ellis and veteran Dennis Schroder. This move aims to shore up Cleveland’s backcourt depth as they push for playoff positioning. The Bulls received Dario Saric and draft picks in the exchange.
The NBA landscape is currently buzzing with trade rumors and player prop excitement as the mid-season grind intensifies. Edwards’ performance tonight will be a key storyline for fans and bettors alike, as he continues to make his case for All-NBA First Team honors.
* Andrew Caley (Covers Senior Analyst): “Anthony Edwards is going to light up the injury-ravaged Grizzlies from downtown, where he’s been shooting nearly 45% for the last month.”
* Tide 100.9 (via News Release): “Cleveland acquired former Alabama guard Keon Ellis through a three-team, four-player trade between the Cavaliers, Kings, and Bulls on Sunday.”
Echotitbits take:
Anthony Edwards is quickly becoming the “face of the league” for the younger generation. His ability to dominate even on “off” shooting nights is a scary prospect for a Grizzlies team missing key defensive anchors. Watch for a viral highlight-reel dunk or a 40-point explosion tonight; “Ant” thrives in these “get-right” games.
Source: Covers.com — https://www.covers.com/nba/player-prop-bets-monday-february-2-2026 February 2, 2026
Photo Credit: Covers.com
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Marcus Smart fined for obscene gesture as NBA officiating debate flares up again
Photo Credit: Reuters
2025-12-21 20:10:00
Reuters reports the NBA fined Marcus Smart $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward an official at halftime of a Lakers win, instantly reigniting online ‘refs vs players’ debate.While league fines are common, the optics are not: clips travel fast, and fan arguments about officiating consistency follow even faster.
Smart’s incident lands in a season where coaches and players have repeatedly complained about how games are called.
ESPN reported: “Lakers guard Marcus Smart was fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture toward a game official…”. The Los Angeles Times similarly wrote: “Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture…”.
Echotitbits take:
This matters because it feeds a broader league narrative about officiating trust. Watch whether Smart comments publicly and whether the NBA introduces any transparency measures that cool down the recurring ‘ref talk’ cycle.Source: Reuters — 2025-12-21 — https://www.reuters.com/sports/lakers-marcus-smart-fined-35000-obscene-gesture–flm-2025-12-21/
Reuters
2025-12-21