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Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant addressed the media ahead of his return to activity in a clash against the New Orleans Pelicans. Grizzlies, who are currently 6-17 in total, will have Morant making his comeback after being suspended for the first 25 games of the season. Morant was given the suspension by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for a gun incident in May 2023, which recorded his second suspension in four months. On Friday, the Grizzlies’ point guard addressed the media for the first time and said that he doesn’t regret being suspended.
Morant, however, said that the suspension was hard on him and had “some horrible days” as he focused on himself away from the game. Not only this, but the 24-year-old also said that the suspension made him a better person and he learned a few things about himself. Morant said, “In the end, I feel like it made me better. I feel like I learned some stuff about myself that I did during that process. Very eye-opening. It kind of gave me a new look on life. How I go about my days. How I carry myself.”
Morant’s suspension ends on Tuesday, December 19, against the Grizzlies’ face-off against the Pelicans. The South Carolina player added, "I take full responsibility of that, even though I'm not out on the floor. Decisions I made didn't allow me to be out there to go to battle with my team. I can't make anyone believe me outside of my actions.” On the changes in his life after the suspension, he said, "I can't go away from being Ja. The change will be my decision-making and how I go about my daily life..."
The Grizzlies have been affected by injuries off late and are among the NBA's worst with a record ahead of only Washington, San Antonio, and Detroit. Jaren Jackson Jr, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and David Roddy Jr. are the only players to have played every game.
