On Saturday night, Memphis Grizzlies standout Ja Morant had an odd contact with courtside fans watching the Thunder play.
Morant was removed before halftime for his second technical foul with his team down 20 points. Thunder won 115-109.
The star point guard was dismissed while addressing fans. Morant gave the surprised crowd two thumbs up as he was ejected. Morant's shower dialogue with Grizzlies supporters continued. Morant called his father, who gave fans a phone.
"They supported us. Watched us play. "Fines don't bother me," he said. "You know, just watching basketball, looking at all these other individuals you can mention that are All-Stars, certain stuff they get, I feel it’s not consistent on my end. "When I speak, some get in their feelings."
Morant didn't say what he said to fans but insisted he wasn't talking to an official before either technical foul.
"I got my first tech for admitting I got hit in my f---ing face. I receive another tech for chatting to a fan about Ray Acosta again. I feel like when these folks came here and bought tickets online, it didn't indicate (Ray's) name to come watch."
After the game, crew chief John Gobble said Morant's first technical was "for use of profanity directed at an official" and the second was "for making a comment questioning the integrity of an official," according to ESPN.
On Dec. 1, the Grizzlies star was expelled and fined $35,000 for criticizing officiating. Was he singled out?