Memphis Grizzlies and the Sacramento Kings, Ja Morant’s ejection raised questions about the officiating decisions that led to his early exit. While NBA referee Bill Kennedy did not specifically address this incident, Crew Chief Pat Fraher provided detailed explanations regarding the technical fouls assessed to Morant.
First Technical Foul:
At the 8:07 mark in the fourth quarter, during an out-of-bounds play on the baseline, Morant directed profanity towards an official, resulting in his first technical foul.
Second Technical Foul and Ejection:
Later in the quarter, Morant was called for a foul on DeMar DeRozan’s jump shot. Expressing frustration, Morant used multiple points and profanity towards an official while walking to the bench, leading to his second technical foul and subsequent ejection.
Postgame Review and Admission of Error:
After the game, Fraher acknowledged that the foul call on Morant was incorrect. He stated that upon postgame review, it was determined that Morant was in a legal guarding position and should not have been called for a foul.
Impact on the Game:
Morant’s ejection occurred with 6:45 remaining in the fourth quarter, a critical juncture in the game. At the time of his ejection, Morant had contributed eight points, seven assists, and three rebounds in 28 minutes.
Reactions and Reflections:
Ja Morant technical foul for shooting a full court shot after the buzzer pic.twitter.com/raLh0Z8OSl
— eric (@EricTweetsNBA) March 1, 2025
The admission of the erroneous foul call sparked discussions about the challenges officials face in making real-time decisions and the importance of maintaining composure on the court. Morant’s reaction, though understandable, underscores the need for players to manage their responses to officiating calls to avoid detrimental outcomes for their teams.
While Bill Kennedy did not provide specific insights into this incident, the explanations from Crew Chief Pat Fraher offer clarity on the circumstances surrounding Ja Morant’s technical fouls and ejection. This episode highlights the complexities of in-game officiating and the significance of effective communication between players and officials.
