How much money will Ja Morant lose after facing suspension on Grizzlies? Memphis star's paycheck taking major hit explored

The Memphis Grizzlies announced that Ja Morant will be suspended for one game due to conduct detrimental to the team. The two-time NBA All-Star will sit out Sunday's game against the Toronto Raptors.

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the one-game suspension will cost Morant $272,042, which is a fraction of his $39.4 million salary for the 2025-26 season. The Grizzlies star is on the third season of his five-year, $197.2 million contract.

Morant is locked through 2028 and will earn $42.2 million and $44.9 million in the final two years of his contract.

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According to NBA insider Sham Charania, Morant's postgame comments following Friday's 117-112 loss to the LA Lakers were described as "detrimental to the team." Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo challenged Morant's effort and leadership in his remarks following the loss.

In Friday's loss, Ja Morant finished with a season-low eight points and seven assists on 3-for-14 shooting, including 0-for-6 from 3-point range.

Through six games this season, the 26-year-old guard has averaged 20.8 points, 6.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds on a career-low 28.5 minutes per game. Morant is also struggling with efficiency, shooting just 40.6% from the field and 15.6% from the 3-point line.

What did Ja Morant say that merited a suspension?

Ja Morant was visibly frustrated after the Memphis Grizzlies' third loss of the season. He re-directed all questions from reporters to the coaching staff.

"Go ask the coaching staff," Morant said. "Go ask them. They had a whole spiel in here. ... According to them, probably don’t play me. Honestly. That’s basically what the message was after. That’s cool. … It’s cool, man."

Tuomas Iisalo is in his first full season as Grizzlies coach after replacing Taylor Jenkins, who was fired with nine games left last season. Jenkins has coached Morant since entering the league as the No. 2 pick of the 2019 NBA draft.

With Ja Morant out on Sunday, guards Javon Small and Cam Spencer are candidates to have increased roles. The Grizzlies (3-3) will be looking to get back in the win column.

Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos