Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies players call Tyre Nichols video 'scary' and 'frustrating'

Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said after Friday's loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves that the team couldn't wait to be back home with the Memphis community. The Grizzlies got a 112-100 win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday to snap a five-game losing streak in their first game back home.

Friday was the same day where a video showing Memphis native Tyre Nichols being beaten and tased by police was released to the public. After their game against the Timberwolves, Grizzlies players were not made available.

Jenkins, Ja Morant and Tyus Jones all spoke publicly Sunday for the first time since the release of the video.

"Beyond disturbing," Jenkins said. "I said it the other day: There is not enough time in the day to speak what's in my mind and in my heart. It's an embarrassment of humanity."

What the players said

Morant thought of himself in his role as a father. He mentioned that he started watching the video but couldn't make it through its entirety.

"At some point, (expletive) just got to stop," Morant said. "Obviously, you hate to see it. Prayers to his family. It's mind-blowing, scary and frustrating."

When the team met ahead of the game against the Timberwolves, Jenkins said point guard Jones was one of the leaders in conversations. Jones is a Minnesota native who shared his experience as being from the area where George Floyd was murdered by an officer in May 2020.

"It's crazy when it happens anywhere, but when you're in that city it hits home just a little bit more," Jones said. "It's just sad. It's extremely sad. You really don't have words to explain it."

Jaren Jackson Jr. has been one of the most outspoken Grizzlies in the past on social issues. He tweeted on Friday, asking Memphis natives to peacefully protest, support the family and push for accountability.

“You definitely just live here, so it hits harder" Jackson said. "Just you’re feeling for your own community. You understand it really doesn’t have anything to do with what anybody’s doing, but on a personal level you don’t feel great. That’s the best time to come together as a team. That’s the best time to come together as a community, and this community is really great at coming together when things like that happen."

NBA COMES TOGETHER: How NBA teams showed solidarity on day of Tyre Nichols video release

TYRE NICHOLS:How Memphis Grizzlies are reacting ahead of Tyre Nichols video release

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant, teammates call Tyre Nichols video frustrating and scary