Markieff Morris is an American professional basketball player in the NBA. He played college basketball at the University of Kansas before being drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2011. Morris has also played for the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he won an NBA championship in 2020. He currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks.
1976: The Van Arsdale Twins Join the Phoenix Suns
In 1976, Dick and Tom Van Arsdale made history by becoming the first twin brothers to play together for the Phoenix Suns during the 1976-77 season.
September 2, 1989: Birth of Markieff Morris
On September 2, 1989, Markieff Morris was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1989: Dwight Howard and Charles Barkley's Shooting Achievement
Before 1989, Dwight Howard and Charles Barkley achieved a notable shooting feat by becoming the first two players to shoot over 75% from the field in three consecutive games with at least 12 attempts each.
2002: Yao Ming's Impressive Performance
In 2002, Yao Ming achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first player since to score at least 27 points and secure 15 rebounds off the bench.
2008: Markieff Morris Ranked as a Top Basketball Recruit
In 2008, Markieff Morris, alongside his twin brother Marcus, garnered recognition as a top basketball prospect, earning a four-star rating from Rivals.com and ranking as the No. 17 power forward and No. 49 player nationwide.
2011: Markieff Morris Drafted to the NBA
In 2011, Markieff Morris was drafted by the Phoenix Suns as the 13th overall pick after a successful college basketball career at the University of Kansas.
2011: Markieff Morris' Entry into the NBA
Markieff Morris began his NBA journey in 2011 after being drafted by the Phoenix Suns.
2011: Markieff Morris Drafted by the Phoenix Suns
Markieff Morris was drafted by the Phoenix Suns as the 13th pick in the 2011 NBA draft.
January 8, 2012: Markieff Morris Achieves First Career Double-Double
Markieff Morris recorded his first professional double-double on January 8, 2012, with 13 points and 10 rebounds in a win against the Milwaukee Bucks.
February 8, 2012: Markieff Morris Selected for Rising Stars Challenge
On February 8, 2012, Markieff Morris was chosen to participate in the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge, marking his first appearance in the Rookie Challenge since joining the NBA.
November 21, 2012: Markieff Morris' First Start of the Season
On November 21, 2012, Markieff Morris earned his first starting position for the season in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers, shortly after achieving a season-high in points against the Miami Heat.
December 6, 2012: Markieff Morris Grabs Career-High 17 Rebounds
Markieff Morris showcased his rebounding prowess on December 6, 2012, by pulling down a career-high 17 rebounds, along with 15 points, in a match against the Dallas Mavericks.
February 21, 2013: Markieff Morris Reunites with Brother Marcus on the Phoenix Suns
On February 21, 2013, a trade brought Markieff Morris and his twin brother, Marcus, together on the Phoenix Suns, marking the second time in Suns' history that twin brothers played on the same team, following Dick and Tom Van Arsdale in the 1976–77 season.
November 6, 2013: Markieff Morris Ties Career-High Points
On November 6, 2013, Markieff Morris matched his career-high of 23 points, adding 12 rebounds in a game against the San Antonio Spurs.
September 29, 2014: Markieff Morris Extends Contract with Phoenix Suns
Markieff Morris solidified his commitment to the Phoenix Suns by signing a multi-year contract extension on September 29, 2014.
November 17, 2014: Markieff Morris Scores Career-High 30 Points
On November 17, 2014, Markieff Morris achieved a new career milestone by scoring 30 points, leading his team to a 118-114 victory against the Boston Celtics.
January 2, 2015: Historic NBA Game Features Two Sets of Brothers
An unprecedented event unfolded on January 2, 2015, during the Phoenix Suns' game against the Philadelphia 76ers, where two sets of brothers, Markieff and Marcus Morris, along with Goran and Zoran Dragić, shared the court, marking the first such occurrence in NBA history.
January 13, 2015: Markieff Morris Sets New Career-High Score
On January 13, 2015, Markieff Morris delivered a standout performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers, achieving a career-high 35 points, showcasing his scoring prowess.
January 24, 2015: Assault Allegations and Trial
On January 24, 2015, Markieff and his twin brother, Marcus, were involved in an aggravated assault case. They, along with three others, were accused of assaulting Eric Hood, their former mentor. The Morris brothers were found not guilty on October 2, 2017. However, the incident contributed to both brothers being traded from the Phoenix Suns.
July 9, 2015: Marcus Morris Traded to Detroit Pistons
Following the assault allegations involving Markieff and Marcus Morris, Marcus was traded to the Detroit Pistons on July 9, 2015. The incident played a role in the Phoenix Suns' decision to part ways with him.
September 8, 2015: Markieff Morris Fined for Public Trade Demand
On September 8, 2015, Markieff Morris faced a fine of $10,000 for conduct detrimental to the league after publicly requesting a trade the previous month.
February 2, 2016: Markieff Morris' Season-Best Performance
Markieff Morris delivered a season-best performance on February 2, 2016, recording 30 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal during Earl Watson's debut as head coach for the Suns.
February 18, 2016: Markieff Morris Traded to the Washington Wizards
On February 18, 2016, Markieff Morris' time with the Phoenix Suns ended as he was traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for DeJuan Blair, Kris Humphries, and a protected 2016 first-round draft pick.
February 29, 2016: Markieff Morris' First Double-Double with the Wizards
On February 29, 2016, shortly after joining the Washington Wizards, Markieff Morris achieved his first double-double with the team, contributing 16 points and 13 rebounds in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
February 10, 2017: Season-High 26 Points Against Pacers
On February 10, 2017, Markieff Morris had a standout performance, scoring a season-high 26 points and contributing to the Wizards' 112-107 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
April 16, 2017: NBA Playoff Debut with 21 Points
Markieff Morris made his NBA playoff debut on April 16, 2017, showcasing his skills with a 21-point game as the Wizards defeated the Atlanta Hawks 114-107 in Game 1 of the first round.
September 2017: Others Involved Plead Guilty
In September 2017, two individuals involved in the 2015 assault case with Markieff and Marcus Morris, Julius Kane and Christopher Melendez Jr., pleaded guilty to their charges. The Morris twins and Gerald Bowman had maintained their innocence and were found not guilty.
September 22, 2017: Surgery and Six-to-Eight-Week Absence
On September 22, 2017, Markieff Morris underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia, sidelining him for six to eight weeks.
October 2, 2017: Acquittal in Assault Case
On October 2, 2017, Markieff and Marcus Morris were found not guilty in the aggravated assault case filed against them in 2015. Despite their acquittal, the incident had significant repercussions for their careers with the Phoenix Suns.
March 13, 2018: Season-High 27 Points Against Timberwolves
On March 13, 2018, Markieff Morris delivered a season-high performance, scoring 27 points despite the Wizards' 116-111 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
January 3, 2019: Six-Week Absence Due to Neck and Back Stiffness
On January 3, 2019, Markieff Morris was ruled out for six weeks due to neck and upper back stiffness, which led to a transient cervical neurapraxia diagnosis.
February 7, 2019: Traded to New Orleans Pelicans
On February 7, 2019, Markieff Morris was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans along with a 2023 second-round pick in exchange for Wesley Johnson.
February 20, 2019: Signs with Oklahoma City Thunder
Markieff Morris signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 20, 2019, shortly after being waived by the New Orleans Pelicans.
July 6, 2019: Signs with Detroit Pistons
On July 6, 2019, Markieff Morris joined the Detroit Pistons, signing a contract with the team.
February 21, 2020: Buyout Agreement with Pistons
On February 21, 2020, Markieff Morris and the Detroit Pistons reached a buyout agreement, making him a free agent.
February 23, 2020: Joins Los Angeles Lakers
Markieff Morris signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on February 23, 2020, utilizing the disabled player exemption to fill the roster spot left vacant by DeMarcus Cousins.
2020: Markieff Morris Wins NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers
In 2020, Markieff Morris achieved a significant career milestone by winning an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.
August 6, 2021: Signs with Miami Heat
On August 6, 2021, Markieff Morris signed a one-year veteran's minimum contract with the Miami Heat.
November 8, 2021: Altercation with Nikola Jokić
On November 8, 2021, Markieff Morris was fined $50,000 for initiating an altercation with Nikola Jokić during a game. Morris suffered a neck injury, later diagnosed as whiplash, when Jokić shoved him from behind.
March 11, 2022: Medical Clearance to Return
Markieff Morris received medical clearance to return to playing on March 11, 2022, following his recovery from a neck injury sustained during an altercation with Nikola Jokić.
September 7, 2022: Signs with Brooklyn Nets
On September 7, 2022, Markieff Morris joined the Brooklyn Nets, adding his experience to the team's roster.
February 6, 2023: Traded to Dallas Mavericks
Markieff Morris, alongside Kyrie Irving, was traded to the Dallas Mavericks on February 6, 2023. The trade involved Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, a 2029 first-round pick, and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029.