Ja Morant made his return to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday (March 20), seeing his teammates after nearly three weeks. Moreover, head coach Taylor Jenkins called it a “good first day back,” expressing hope that he’ll play as early as Wednesday. For those not caught up, Morant faced suspension for a video of him flashing a gun at a strip club after a history of other controversial actions. Furthermore, Jenkins said that the 23-year-old addressed his team at large and fellow players upon his arrival. After much discussion around his behavior, the guard vowed to rectify his mindset and outlook.
What’s more is that Morant followed up on his promise, checking into a counseling program in Florida. Since his departure, the two-time All Star’s statements indicate that he’s ready and able to turn his image around. Moreover, one important aspect of his public retribution was his sit-down interview with Jalen Rose. During that conversation, he addressed the viral video, stating that the gun in question was not his. Despite that, he took accountability for his actions.
Ja Morant Makes His Return To The Memphis Grizzlies
“The gun wasn’t mine,” he expressed. “It’s not who I am. I don’t condone any type of violence, but I’ve taken responsibility for my actions. But in the future, I’m going to show everybody who Ja really is, what I’m about, and change this narrative that everybody got. I used that as an escape, which I shouldn’t have. I feel like that’s the reason I made many bad decisions in my past, which doesn’t pretty much describe me, doesn’t describe Ja as a person.
“I’m a totally different person than what’s been shown in the media,” he continued. “That’s my job now. That’s why I took that time away, to become a better Ja, so everybody really can see who Ja really is and you know what he’s about.” Also, his return is quite timely, as the Grizzlies’ Wednesday match against the Houston Rockets could push them further in the Western Conference playoffs. With that in mind, stay posted on HNHH for the latest news and updates on Ja Morant.