The Memphis Grizzlies’ Shannon Sharpe and Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks were involved in an apparent courtside incident at Friday night’s game in Los Angeles.
Sharpe, the co-host of Fox Sports’ Skip and Shannon: Undisputed, was seated on the sidelines but was briefly taken away by security officials after he allegedly yelled at the players and an incident ensued.
According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the altercation occurred after final possession of the first half. Morant just walked from the seat to the locker room before stopping and turning to Sharpe.
Teammate Steven Adams intervened as the two closed on Sharpe.
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Shannon Sharpe reacts after being restrained by security from Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies after a verbal altercation after the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on January 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Harry How/Getty Images)
Video of the incident appears to show that others quickly got involved, including Morant’s father, Tee Morant, and a crowd formed in the area.
Security officials separated the group and the players headed to the dressing room before returning to the third quarter.
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ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that the incident may have originally started with Brooks, a small forward covering for the Lakers’ LeBron James.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 20: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.Com Arena on January 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 20: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket on Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on January 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Harry How/Getty Images)
Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) fouls Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Sharpe joked that Brooks was “too small” to guard him.
“It started with Dillon Brooks. I said he was too small to guard LeBron,” Sharpe told ESPN
“He said ‘F—’ to me and I said ‘F— you’ back,” he added. “He came up to me and I said, ‘You don’t want these problems.’ Then Yes came out of nowhere.”
Sharpe continued, “He definitely didn’t want those problems. Then the father came and he obviously didn’t want any problems. But I wanted everything they had.
“They talk and argue so much and I don’t joke about it,” Sharpe added.
Sharpe, an NFL Hall of Famer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, stands over 6ft 2in, taller than most athletes on the court.
Other videos of the incident appear to confirm that Brooks yelled at Sharpe, who yelled back and pointed to the ground in front of him as if to show him to come over.
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Sharpe and Tee Morant were both allowed to return to their places for the third quarter.
The Grizzlies were 53-49 at halftime in the Crypto.com Arena but ultimately lost to the Lakers 122-121.
A fourth-quarter surge by the Lakers and a key theft by the Lakers’ Dennis Schroder sealed the win.
Morant had a team-high 22 points, Adams had 16, and Brooks had 9. Adams also had a game-high 17 rebounds.
Across the court, James had 23 points and the Lakers were led by Russell Westbrook with 29 points.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 20: Shannon Sharpe is retrained by security personnel from Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies after a verbal altercation after the end of the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on January 20, 2023 Los Angeles Angeles, California. (Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 20: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts as he goes on the bench in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on January 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California . (Harry How/Getty Images)
Memphis has a 31-14 record while the struggling Lakers are now 21-25.