Ja Morant remains one of the NBA’s most electrifying talents, yet he says he has no desire to carry the league’s spotlight. Speaking to The Athletic ahead of Memphis’ Monday matchup against the Golden State Warriors, Morant stated, “I never did for real. Honestly.”
The Memphis star emphasized that his focus is on the game itself rather than public perception. “There’s a lot that comes with that,” he said. “I play basketball for the love of the game, not to be the face of the NBA. Obviously, I hear that a lot. I don’t put no pressure on it. I just go out and just play my game.”
Morant’s comments come as the NBA searches for a next-generation face to succeed LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Despite widespread speculation about his potential, Morant said he doesn’t concern himself with such discussions. “People have their own opinions, but I really don’t care for it too much,” he added.
On the court, Morant continues to deliver elite performances. Through three games this season, he is averaging 22 points, nearly six assists, and over two rebounds per contest while shooting 44% from the field. He scored 23 points and handed out nine assists in Monday’s 131-118 loss to the Warriors.
Morant has consistently demonstrated the ability to impact games at a high level since entering the league in 2019. Over 307 career regular-season games, he averages 22.6 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game, making him a perennial All-Star candidate.
