Report: Jazz Owner Welcomes Morant Family For Game Five
Jun 1, 2021, 7:18 PM | Updated: 7:19 pm
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant preparing to face the Utah Jazz (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith will host the family of Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant when the two teams face off on Wednesday according to ESPN.
Tim MacMahon and Malika Andrews reported that Smith provided Morant’s family with five courtside seats to the game, plus lodging and car service during ahead of game five.
Morant’s family was the target of harassment from a handful of Jazz fans at Vivint Arena during the team’s game two victory in Salt Lake City on May 26. The fans were ejected and banned indefinitely after the game.
Reporting with @malika_andrews: Jazz owner Ryan Smith has provided Game 5 tickets, lodging and car service for Ja Morant’s family, his dad, Tee, told ESPN. The Jazz banned 3 fans for racist or vulgar comments directed at Morant’s parents during Game 2. https://t.co/uTbJRjhCGp
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 2, 2021
“It was a nice gesture from the Jazz,” Tee Morant told ESPN. “It was unfortunate. It was just a few fans — most of them were great and cheering right alongside with us.”
Unfortunately, Morant’s mother, the target of much of the harassment did not make the trip due to her anxiety over the issue.
Several members of the Jazz organization reached out to Morant and his family to apologize for the fans poor behavior in Salt Lake City.
“Memphis Grizzlies and Morant family… we are embarrassed and sorry,” Smith posted on Twitter. “The @UtahJazz have zero tolerance for offensive behavior. We are committed to creating a respectful, competitive environment.”
Memphis Grizzlies and Morant family… we are embarrassed and sorry. The @UtahJazz have zero tolerance for offensive behavior. We are committed to creating a respectful, competitive environment. https://t.co/cLsKWSk1l1
— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) May 28, 2021
Donovan Mitchell said he reached out to Morant to speak to him about the issue, and also tweeted about the fans.
“I’m glad those fans were banned and they should never be allowed back…. this is ridiculous!!!” Mitchell tweeted. “The fact that these words are being thrown around to players and there families is ridiculous! Enough is enough smh!”
The Jazz and Grizzlies tip-off game five Wednesday night at 7:30 pm.
