• Shannon Sharpe got into a heated exchange with Memphis Grizzlies players on Friday.
  • The broadcaster also had a confrontation with Ja Morant's father at the Lakers-Grizzlies game.
  • Sharpe told ESPN the fight began when he told a player he was too small to guard LeBron James.

Shannon Sharpe and several Memphis Grizzlies players got into a heated exchange at Friday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports the NFL Hall of Famer and cohost of Fox Sports 1's "Undisputed" was sitting courtside when the shouting match began during halftime. The outlet reports Grizzlies players Dillon Brooks, Steven Adams, and Ja Morant were involved, as well as Morant's father, Tee Morant.

Shannon Sharpe and Tee Morant are separated by security after a verbal altercation during the Grizzlies-Lakers game at Crypto.com Arena on January 20, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. Foto: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Photos and videos of the altercation show referees and security breaking up the argument on the court. Grizzlies reporter Damichael Cole described the incident as "Absolute madness" in a tweet about the fight.

 

After the argument, Sharpe was escorted by security to a back hallway of the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles for halftime, according to ESPN. Before returning to his seat for the third quarter, he told McMenamin the incident started with Brooks.

"They didn't want this smoke, Dave. They do all that talking and jockeying and I ain't about that jockeying," Sharpe said. "It started with Dillon Brooks. I said he was too small to guard LeBron. He said, 'F--- me.' I said, 'F--- you' back. He started to come at me, and I said, 'You don't want these problems.' And then Ja came out of nowhere talking. He definitely didn't want these problems. Then the dad came and he obviously didn't want no problems."

"But I wanted anything they had. Don't let these fools fool you now," he continued.

Prior to the argument, Sharpe shared a video of his outfit while he sat courtside on Instagram. After the heated exchange, many users were quick to comment on the fight, with some condemning him for his behavior.

"You embarrassed yourself Unc! If any other spectator engaged with players and their families the way you did last night, they would be banned! Same should apply to you?" one person wrote.

A post shared by Shannon Sharpe (@shannonsharpe84)

 

The Grizzlies ultimately lost to the Lakers 122-121, putting an end to the team's 11-game winning streak. Another video from Cole showed Tee Morant and Sharpe making up after the game with a hug on the court.

 

Representatives for Fox Sports and the Memphis Grizzlies did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

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