With 0.1 seconds remaining on Tuesday night, Ja Morant made a spectacular comeback to the NBA, helping the Grizzlies defeat the Pelicans.
After serving a 25-game ban for gun play, Morant made his court debut this season as Memphis hosted the Pelicans in New Orleans.
Earlier in the evening, he faced an intense response from the Louisiana audience, who continuously jeered and booed him.
However, he turned in a fantastic performance to give the Grizzles an incredible victory upon his return.
He was jeered as he was introduced to the audience ahead of time, according to footage shot inside the arena earlier in the evening.
Footage from inside the arena shows he was booed when he was introduced to the crowd
Morant was singing with friends when caught holding up a handgun during a livestream video
Then, following his protracted departure from the court, the jeers kept coming from the audience when he scooped up the ball.
It didn’t take him long to record his season’s first points, though. Prior to scoring in the opening quarter, Morant outran Jonas Valanciunas of the Pelicans to a rebound.
Early in the first quarter, Morant was called for a foul and as he approached the free-throw line, he was greeted with thunderous jeers.
The Grizzlies struggled and were behind 60-41 at the half despite Morant’s comeback.
Morant scored seven points and dished out three assists in his 16 minutes of action in the first half. He also only grabbed one rebound.
Before the game, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins remarked, “He’s fired up.”
Since the beginning of the season, he has worked really hard and spent as much time as possible with the club. He is now afforded this chance at Game 26.
I can’t wait to watch him go out and enjoy himself. That’s what we’ve discussed together.
“Work hard, have fun, develop relationships with your teammates, and just relish the chance to be back on the court.”
Since he was first discovered flashing a pistol on a social media livestream on March 4, the 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year, 2022 Most Improved Player, and No. 2 selection overall in the 2019 draft has been suspended for a total of 33 games.
Knowing that off-court problems had an impact on the Grizzlies’ season, Morant initially admitted to reporters that he needed to make better decisions after the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated Memphis from the playoffs in April.
Two weeks later, in a livestream video, Morant was seen holding up a gun while singing with companions. After considering the circumstances, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver declared the second ban and other actions that Morant needed to take.
Morant was permitted to travel, practice, and participate in morning shootarounds with the Grizzlies while serving his suspension. However, he was not allowed to watch sports in an arena with his team.