Jordan Poole denies intentionally injuring Ja Morant's knee after Grizzlies point guard limps off

SAN FRANCISCO — The Memphis Grizzlies are concerned about their star point guard Ja Morant, who limped off the court with over five minutes remaining in a blowout loss to Golden State after Jordan Poole grabbed Morant's right knee during a trap near halfcourt.

Morant left without talking to reporters but tweeted " broke the code" with video of Poole grabbing his knee on a fourth-quarter play before later deleting the tweet. Morant could be seen walking with a limp toward the team bus following Memphis' 142-112 Game 3 loss at the Chase center on Saturday night.

The team did not specify what Morant's injury is, saying only that the point guard was being further evaluated.

«We're going to ride for our own,» Memphis forward Jaren Jackson Jr. said when asked about the team's feeling about the play with Poole. «You know our mentality… You know, make a play on the ball, it's unfortunate. You never want to see that type of stuff. Obviously, it's not done by — no one is out here dirty. No one is out here like that. But it's just unfortunate.»

Jackson added: «You know the code. Talk about the code all series at this point.»

Poole said he is «not even that type of player» to try to intentionally hurt someone. Poole and Andrew Wiggins trapped Morant near halfcourt before Wiggins was called for a foul with 6:55 left. Morant would sub out with 6:19 left and the Warriors up by 17 before later walking back to the locker room.

«It was a basketball play when we doubled him,» Poole explained. «And I hit the ball and I was going for the ball. I mean, obviously, you don't want to see anybody get hurt. I'm not even that type of player. I respect everybody.»

Poole added: «Hopefully he gets better, and you know, we can see him out there next