Ja Morant, the standout point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, is scheduled to return to action after a period of suspension by the NBA. The specifics of his return date depend on the duration of his suspension and any additional factors such as injury recovery or team decisions.
Morant’s suspension by the NBA could be due to various reasons, including violations of league rules or conduct policies. However, without specific information regarding the nature of his suspension, it’s challenging to provide an exact reason. NBA suspensions can result from various infractions, ranging from on-court behavior to off-court conduct issues. For accurate details on Morant’s suspension, it’s best to consult recent news sources or official statements from the NBA or the Memphis Grizzlies organization.
Describing the Memphis Grizzlies’ struggles without Ja Morant as merely an understatement would be an understatement itself. With a record of 4-13 in the first seventeen games of the season, the Grizzlies find themselves languishing at the bottom of the Western Conference.
The two-time NBA All-Star has been sidelined for the entire season but is nearing his return.
The earliest Morant can return is December 19, when the Grizzlies face the New Orleans Pelicans.
His first eligible home game back will be the December 21 matchup against the Indiana Pacers.
While many expect Morant to reclaim his spot in Memphis’ starting lineup immediately, he may also face minute restrictions as he gets back up to speed.
His last NBA appearance came in April, almost eight months prior to his anticipated return when the Lakers eliminated the Grizzlies from the playoffs in Game 6 of their first-round series.
Morant has served a 25-game suspension for what the NBA termed “conduct detrimental to the league.”
Specifically, Morant was banned following an Instagram Live video clip in which he was seen brandishing a gun.
Following the second incident, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated in a statement on June 16: “Ja Morant’s decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games.
“The potential for other young people to emulate Ja’s conduct is particularly concerning. Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated.”
Ja Morant has forged a reputation as one of the most exciting talents in the NBA since his debut in 2019.
Although Morant has been ineligible to play and cannot be in the Grizzlies arena during games, he has remained around the team the rest of the time.
He has been involved in practices, film sessions, workouts, and team dinners.
The 2022 NBA Most Improved Player has shown remorse for his actions and checked into a counseling program in Florida after the suspension.
He also released a statement apologizing for his behavior.
“I’ve had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I’ve caused,” Morant said on June 16.
“I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates, and the city of Memphis. To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman, and Robert Pera – who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and have supported me, I’m sorry for the harm I’ve done.
“To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I’m going to be better. To all my sponsors, I’m going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all my fans, I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.”