Ja Morant has made ‘difficult decisions and poor choices,’ no timetable to return, coach says
There is no timetable for Ja Morant to return to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Morant was not with the team in Los Angeles on Sunday for the Grizzlies’ game against the Clippers. On Tuesday, the team will play against the Lakers.
Jenkins said before the team’s game against the Clippers that Morant made “tough decisions and bad choices” that he should be responsible for.
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Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins listens to a question about Ja Morant during a press conference prior to an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, March 5, 2023 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
“He’s certainly embracing the mistakes he’s made, but only time will tell. We’re going to support him and we’re going to hold him accountable for making those changes,” said Jenkins, who declined to detail the exact steps Morant needs to take. had. accomplish to return to the Grizzlies.
“We love him, we want the best for him, we support him. It’s going to be a tough process, but we have a great group to get through this.”
Jenkins added that it was “an ongoing healing process.”
Morant streamed the video on his Instagram Live and a screenshot of him appearing to be holding the gun quickly circulated on social media.
March 3, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) adjusts his face shield during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
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He later apologized after being handed a two match suspension.
“I take full responsibility for my actions last night,” Morant said. “I’m sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire Grizzlies organization for letting you down. I’m going to make some time to get help and work on learning how to better methods of coping with stress and my overall well-being.”
The gun incident is the latest in a series of controversies looming over the superstar point guard. Morant’s actions were investigated following a January 29 incident in Memphis that he said resulted in a friend, Davonte Pack, being banned from playing home games for a year.
March 3, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) watches on in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
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Morant and Pack are also involved in a civil lawsuit filed after an incident last summer in which a 17-year-old claimed they assaulted him at Morant’s home. The Shelby County District Attorney said in January it was “aware of the incident and, after careful review of the facts, decided there was not enough evidence to pursue a case.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
