NBA Fans Slam Ja Morant’s “Dirty” $52.5 Million Teammate for Allegedly Trying to Injure Cooper Flagg

Tempers flared during the Memphis Grizzlies’ 102-96 win at the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday after Santi Aldama seemingly tripped Cooper Flagg. The incident occurred with 2:57 left in the third quarter. Flagg blocked Aldama’s attempt at the rim and initiated a fast break after saving the ball from going out of bounds.

The Grizzlies forward, who is on a $52.5 million contract, fell amid the melee. As Flagg tried to join his teammates on the break, Aldama appeared to extend his hand and trip Flagg, who fell face-first. The No. 1 pick was infuriated with what went down, escalating an argument with Aldama.

Thanks for the submission!

His teammates also got involved, mainly Klay Thompson, who got into Santi Aldama’s face along with coach Jason Kidd. On the other side, Ja Morant defended Aldama, who received a flagrant 1 for his actions.

•

However, fans remained infuriated at the Grizzlies forward for allegedly trying to injure Cooper Flagg. Here’s how they reacted on X:

Dirty players are weird af. get them out the league

20 game suspension. It’s the only way to send a message.

How was that not a flagrant 2 lol

Klay Thompson doesn’t hesitate to throw around ‘dirty’ label for Grizzlies after Cooper Flagg incident

Cooper Flagg’s veteran Klay Thompson didn’t mince words on the Grizzlies players after Saturday’s game. The former Warriors star, who has had many battles against Memphis, especially in the 2022 playoffs, called them ‘dirty.’

“With the tall guy [Aldama], I thought just like that’s not cool. I’ve seen them do dirty stuff before,” Thompson said (via Mavs’ reporter Noah Webber) I remember in the playoffs, 2022, they broke my teammate’s elbow on a dirty hit. … I don’t like seeing that done to a rookie.”

I asked Klay Thompson about his heated interactions with Vince Williams Jr., Santi Aldama, and Ja Morant tonight:​“It was a great time. With the tall guy, I thought just like that’s not cool. I’ve seen them do dirty stuff before. I remember in the playoffs, 2022, they broke my teammates elbow on a dirty hit…I don’t like seeing that done to a rookie. That’s not cool…Don’t be dirty. That’s not it…And Williams, I just kept that same energy, kept chirping, thought he flopped when I got tied up with him. And then with Ja, he’s a funny guy. He has a lot to say all the time, especially for a guy who rarely takes accountability, but you know, that’s for another day.”

Thompson referenced Gary Payton II’s elbow injury caused by former Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks, who swung his arm across the Warriors guard’s head airborne during Game 2 of the 2022 playoffs semis.

The Grizzlies won the heated game despite Klay Thompson’s best efforts. He had 22 off the bench on six 3s. Meanwhile, Cooper Flagg had a rough outing with 12 points and seven rebounds on 26.7% shooting.

Why did you not like this content?

Cancel
Submit

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback

Quick Links

More from Sportskeeda

Edited by Arhaan Raje