Memphis Grizzlies rookie point guard Ja Morant is taking the blame for the team's loss on Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Although Morant finished with a stellar stat line, he did struggle in the first half. The explosive guard only had two points before halftime.

“I put this loss on me. I've got to be better in the first half,” Ja Morant said, via the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Added Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins: “This is experience that not many expected us to be in. We're not just saying we're fortunate just to be here and we want the experience, we want to make the playoffs and the experience is only going to get us better.”

The Grizzlies led by nine points with five minutes remaining in the game. However, the Blazers showed their experience as a veteran roster and sent the game into overtime with some clutch buckets by Carmelo Anthony.

Grizzlies youngster Brandon Clarke tied the game after the Blazers took the lead. Memphis had a shot of winning the game in regulation too, but Morant tripped while going towards the basket.

Morant, who is expected to win the 2020 Rookie of the Year Award, put up 22 points and 11 assists against the Blazers. Memphis' next game is on Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs.

Expect Morant and Co. to come out firing in that game, as the team can't afford to start the seeding games 0-2 if they want to keep that eighth spot in the Western Conference standings.