SALT LAKE CITY — Ja Morant’s dad, Tee, entered Vivint Arena at 6:15 p.m. and took his courtside seat to watch his son warm up in the pregame shootaround.
Morant, who averaged 30 points per game in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, strolled over to greet his dad and five close friends following his pregame warm-up. Fans had yet to enter the arena, but every Utah Jazz fan seated near the Morant family was vetted by the Jazz staff to avoid any conflict.
Ja Morant greets his dad Tee and family friends ahead of game 5 who were moved to court side seats after the fan altercation that took place game 2.