​Ja Morant, wearing number 12 for the Memphis Grizzlies, is captured in action during the second half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 26, 2025. In another image from Getty Images, he is seen walking off the court after a matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, on November 2, 2022, where the Grizzlies prevailed 111-106. The user is reminded that by downloading or using this photograph, they are agreeing to the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images).
Morant’s career took a new turn when he was traded from the Grizzlies to the Portland Trail Blazers, marking the beginning of a fresh chapter with a new organization. In recent years, Morant has frequently faced scrutiny off the court, along with injuries and a noticeable decline in form, which has colored the public’s perception of him. Now with the Trail Blazers, Morant addressed his critics directly, delivering a bold message about his reputation in the NBA during his first media appearance as a Trail Blazer. “I’ve done what I’ve done in the past, but it’s been addressed and handled already. I don’t see why, years later, that’s still the topic when nothing’s happened since,” Morant said.
Morant’s on-court performance has also been hampered by injuries. His most recent setback is a UCL sprain in his left elbow, which kept him out for much of the final stretch of the season. Over the past three seasons, injuries—ranging from ankle and calf issues to hip problems—have limited him to 79 games with the Grizzlies, disrupting his rhythm and consistency. The blockbuster deal saw the Blazers acquire Morant in exchange for forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, plus $1 million in cash considerations, with no draft picks changing hands as part of the trade.
In the 2025-2026 NBA season, Morant appeared in 20 games for the Blazers, posting averages of 19.5 points, 8.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game on 41.0% shooting from the field and averaging 28.5 minutes per game. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, missed the playoffs, signaling a shift away from the group led by Morant and prompting a reconfiguration of the franchise’s core.
Photographs featuring Morant, including images from Memphis and Portland games, have been used to illustrate his journey through these transitions and the accompanying public discourse surrounding his career. The images serve to document both his on-court performances and the off-court headlines that have influenced how fans and analysts view his trajectory.