NEW ORLEANS.- The 25-game suspension ended for I Morant, star of the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBAfor appearing in videos published on social networks with firearms, making him available to play against the Pelicans in New Orleans.
“He’s been incredible even though he can’t play in games,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said Friday night before Memphis’ final home game. “He has taken advantage of every opportunity to be with his teammates. He has relied a lot on the team, he has done many things off the court with his teammates.”
Under the terms of his suspension, Morant was able to train and travel with the Grizzlies and take part in morning shooting drills. But he was not allowed to be in the same area with his team during games.
Jenkins said the two-time NBA All-Star has gotten a little more involved in training over the past two weeks. Morant has also been communicating via video calls with his teammates during games.
Encouraging outlook:
“He seems to be in a very good position. The way she responded in the 5 vs. exercises. 5 in the last few days have been very good. “She really has been investing a lot in the conditioning of his body, in his strength and she has impressed us with her work.”
Morant, who spoke to reporters for the first time this season on Friday, said he has been counting the days until his return and is grateful to still be in the league and reintegrate with his team.
The second overall pick in the 2019 draft, 2020 Rookie of the Year and 2022 Most Improved Player has been suspended for a total of 33 games since he was first seen displaying a firearm on a live broadcast on his social networks on March 4.
Lesson learned for Ja Morant?
Morant told reporters after the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated Memphis from the playoffs in April that he had to make better decisions, knowing that off-field issues affected the Grizzlies’ season. A team that achieved second place in the Western Conference seeding, which only remained six games in the postseason.
Just two weeks later, Morant was singing with friends when he was caught holding a firearm on a livestreamed video.
Source: AP
