Klay Thompson’s two-time championship teammate takes down Ja Morant

Sharp confrontation after the game between Klay Thompson and I Morant has made another twist, and this time, the former Golden State Warrior weighs in.

After the Mavericks-Grizzlies match ended dramatically, Morant and Thompson exchanged wordswith Morant reportedly calling Klay “a bust” after the veteran guard missed a game-tying three in the final seconds. The clip quickly went viral, reigniting a rivalry that had been simmering for nearly three seasons.

But while fans and media debated who crossed the line, the former Warriors forward and two-time NBA champion David West took his stand absolutely clear.

“Everything is good when you’re playing, but Ja wasn’t even in a jersey,” West said during an interview on SiriusXM NBA Radio.

“Discussion is one thing, competition is another.

West’s comment appears to be a direct criticism Morant’s participation in trash-talking situations during games in which he is unavailable to play, a pattern some around the league have pointed to since last season.

A rivalry that refuses to die

The Warriors and Grizzlies have developed a bitter, emotionally charged rivalry since Golden State eliminated Memphis in the 2022 playoffs. From Dillon Brooks vs. Draymond Green to Morant exchanging subtweets with Warriors players, the animosity has extended far beyond the court.

Ja Morant vs. Klay Thompson is the equivalent of Nike Tech vs. the Quarter Zips. pic.twitter.com/D6IGNk19R7

— The RivalryX (@TheRivalryX) November 23, 2025

Thompson famously mocked Memphis after the Warriors’ 2022 championship, calling the Grizzlies’ celebration premature, a moment that still fuels tension between the two sides.

Trash talk or something bigger?

For Thompson, conflict ensues during a season where scrutiny of his performance has been louder than ever. For Morant, it adds another layer to his already polarizing reputation.

David West’s message, however, is simple:

Compete first. Talk later.

With both teams in fluctuating positions this season, the rivalry isn’t going away, and if nothing else, it’s moments like these that make for the next must-see matchup on television.