LeBron James reacts to heated matchup with Ja Morant

LeBron James and Ja Morant went toe-to-toe Wednesday as the LA Lakers visited the Memphis Grizzlies. James and Morant had a heated back-and-forth on multiple occasions. It began with Morant taunting Gabe Vincent after scoring on LA's veteran guard right before halftime. He hit the too small celebration, which James seemingly didn't appreciate.

The Lakers superstar had his teammate's back and returned the favor to Morant on the next possession. As the Grizzlies guard laid on the floor after taking a few hits from James in the post, the 39-year-old hit the too-small celebration in his face. Morant scored on the other end and immediately shoved James and received a tech.

Here's how it all went down:

LeBron James didn't take anything personally and drag things off the court. The Lakers star explained the back-and-forth with a simple reaction, saying it was just the competitive nature that he and Ja Morant bring coming from "inner cities."

"Two guys from the inner city that loves to compete," James said.

James had 39 points, seven rebounds and six assists on 62.5% shooting, while Morant, who left the game in the third quarter with an injury, tallied 20 points, four rebounds and five assists in 24 minutes.

Morant had the last laugh after the Grizzlies thwarted the Lakers 131-114. LA was shorthanded, playing without starters Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura.

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Ja Morant and Grizzlies have no love for LeBron James and Lakers

LeBron James might have a different perspective about Ja Morant, but the Grizzlies star doesn't share the same sentiment about the Lakers. His teammates seem unfazed about poking the bear, too. After the game, Morant declared he doesn't like the Lakers. He also had a strong reaction to his heated exchanges with James.

"I don't back down from nobody," Morant said. "Don't care who you are ... Top dog in our league, take out the top dog, who else you fear?"

Morant also cited the Grizzlies' loss to the Lakers in the 2023 playoffs' first round and how he didn't appreciate LA's celebrations after winning that series with him on the sidelines (Morant suffered a hand injury).

Meanwhile, Desmond Bane called James an 'old man,' mocking him after Scotty Pippen Jr. got a steal on his former teammate.

The teams won't have any love lost when they meet again this year. The Lakers will hope to get their lick back after deploying a shorthanded team without Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura.