The Memphis Grizzlies are “hopeful” that star guard Ja Morant will return to action on Wednesday night against the Houston Rockets. Morant is now eligible to return to play after his suspension, but he is going through a return-to-play conditioning program after missing so much time.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters before the team’s game on Monday against the Dallas Mavericks that Morant has been scrimmaging and also addressed the team. “The reception was great,” Jenkins said. “Everyone welcomed him with open arms, excited to have him back.
Morant was officially suspended eight games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league, the NBA announced on March 15. The suspension stems from an Instagram Live video Morant posted in which he had a gun at a Denver-area nightclub following a game against the Nuggets on March 3.
The suspension included the five games that he missed while away from the team. During that time, he spent multiple days at a counseling center in Florida. Morant met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver on March 15.
“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless, and potentially very dangerous,” Silver said in the statement. “It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him. He has expressed sincere contrition and remorse for his behavior. Ja has also made it clear to me that he has learned from this incident and that he understands his obligations and responsibility to the Memphis Grizzlies and the broader NBA community extend well beyond his play on the court.”
Morant has been involved in a number of off-court controversies in the past year or so, including:
- Allegedly punching a teenager “12 or 13 times” according to a Washington Post report. Morant claimed he was acting in self-defense. The teenager alleged that Morant had a gun tucked into his pants.
- A mall security guard said that he was threatened by Morant and a number of his associates after his mother reportedly got into an argument with an employee at a store. No arrests were made as a result of this incident.
- In February, the NBA confirmed that it had investigated a situation that took place in Memphis on Jan. 29 after a game against the Indiana Pacers. Members of Indiana’s traveling party claimed that a red laser was shined on them from an SUV carrying Morant. They believed it came from a gun, but the…
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