# Ja Morant downplays first game against Grizzlies: ‘Not a big grudge guy’

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-10-29 10:20 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
Ja Morant addresses his first upcoming game against the Grizzlies following a trade to the Portland Trail Blazers.

## Intelligence Brief
Basketball player Ja Morant has publicly downplayed his upcoming first game against the Memphis Grizzlies, stating in recent media coverage that he is not a big grudge guy and holds no bad blood toward his former organization. This matchup arrives directly in the wake of a trade that moved Morant from Memphis to the Portland Trail Blazers, setting up an immediate narrative focal point for sports commentators and basketball enthusiasts alike across the professional landscape. Outlets providing coverage on this development include Bleacher Report, Hoops Rumors, the Daily Memphian, Blazer's Edge, and The New York Times.


According to reporting from these publications, the player's remarks emphasize a lack of personal animosity as he prepares for the upcoming fixture. Additional coverage notes that related Southwest Division team updates incorporate discussions surrounding other notable players such as Jones, Sengun, and Flagg. Context provided within the reporting highlights the significance of roster movements within the division and the inherent public interest generated when a prominent athlete faces a former team for the very first time.


While coverage does not yet specify the exact tactical adjustments coaches plan to implement for the fixture, the interpersonal dynamics between Morant and the Memphis franchise remain a central point of discussion across sports media channels. Observers and fans will be monitoring the upcoming game itself to see how the on-court action unfolds between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies. Future coverage from the participating outlets is expected to track the aftermath of the matchup and document any further statements issued by the athletes or team leadership regarding the trade and the ongoing season schedule.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Bleacher Report | Ja Morant Reacts to Facing Grizzlies for 1st Time Since Blazers Trade, 'Not a Big Grudge Guy' | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivAFBVV95cUxNN256WDZuaXFEZTJSM2wyWGEtMy1RdFhMMWtLdzFwWWItYjlCUENaNFl6TndmdmlWRXU5TUd1MC1lUks5VnVBX2MweGx3bENZaTZwbEtXV2syZnBQa3FDTVN4ZHB6M3FMb3MtVWhfNnEyRThzMmdKZ2JPMEpJZlRUQUxzeHdPcUhQQjV0NDVCZThUS21wUmprZVdBVF9vdWphYlpIZlFCNXZYcHdQR3J4SlZDWTZMQ19aVFFRRQ?oc=5) |
| Hoops Rumors | Southwest Notes: Morant, Jones, Sengun, Flagg | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiigFBVV95cUxPUERhVWdMRW4tYkFmN3BWNEdQLWNCaHVrOGhlaTFZVFhPY2llcVhQVW8yT0pPRmlsbG1UQ3NiMUtWV0lxcldYalpmTV9HUlFfR2ZUUHpIWklNckFSdzdqSWdkQjhXdVhNY1h1LTFtdENFU21YWGlsNnAwTzR0RWlJSDhTZUNwUEZwb3c?oc=5) |
| Daily Memphian | Ja Morant says he holds no grudge as he prepares to play Grizzlies | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigwFBVV95cUxQeEU1bFBRYnZHMlFpRzZmSHluc2VwVG00c29seU9GSC1FZWVGRk1qMzJRblkxSjBZRHdJYW1LenFiMnpaLVhCQmFVR1dZa2QtWDRLV1IxandlX0xmMGdUMHp4Wk9ONWN6QTg5T0pBbWZDbFY1cXhOREVwSUpOeTFqQXNwdw?oc=5) |
| Blazer's Edge | Morant Shows No Bad Blood Toward Grizzlies Ahead of First Matchup | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi2gFBVV95cUxQRHNkVlVOVDFlNjR6dmZPN3ltTDJpaXd4RThReVVFVVliTUpqUWRMalFEWndMYUlfa0Zia1o0Qmpwa210RXAxS2d3U3FGTGlfbDJKdlNRcG1DWjREa2w2MDNsaHNXVWhzMkNwNG9yb3RGZTJjckpYRjVWNzM5SnU3bktzSnktUmxsR0lnMkQ0b2JMeXI2ZkNQaTNxTmY5NkQ0OUpVTVdfQkdDc2xKalE5QnNNNXZxbFZxU0dRRHZFMTduRVcwcDdHWmlzeXZKeGFjNnc5MVpINHlOQQ?oc=5) |
| The New York Times | Ja Morant downplays first game against Grizzlies: ‘Not a big grudge guy’ | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikAFBVV95cUxQblNxTk9TRXNPcC10bHIwbmpseWo0bzgyRWNqSi1DWGFfLWhPRkwwbEl5SHFoOGxmd3ZDdjAxNDdoQVRmQlJHc2Y2RG83dFNmREdfUGdEcVhzQ1BDR1czZDhfTV9oX3RZclA3T255dFo1TERjV2NHbzBwMXBzYnZMemF6WlJ2SGN0NTVfY2dUV2k?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-10-29/ja-morant-downplays-first-game-against-grizzlies-not-a-big-grudge-guy*