Ja Morant is set to return to the hardwood in the NBA. The Memphis Grizzlies star point guard is available to play on Dec. 19 against the New Orleans Pelicans. He began the 2023-24 NBA season on a 25-game suspension. Morant was suspended for multiple acts, including flashing what appeared to be a gun on Instagram Live multiple times.
“It’s been a process,” Morant said to media members on Dec. 15. “I’m obviously thankful for the support I’ve had during this time. Obviously, it was not easy not being out there on the floor and having to watch.”
Morant said he’s been focusing on himself and his leadership qualities during his time away from games. He said he’s been protecting his peace in order to stay out of the news outside of basketball.
“It was definitely tough,” Morant said. “Horrible days, it was tough, but like I said to start this, with the support I’ve had throughout this process, it definitely helped me a lot. It’s pretty much all I could lean on at that time. Basketball is something I’ve been doing my whole life, something that’s therapeutic for me. Taking that away makes it tougher, but I had the right people around me from my family to the organization and my other partners that helped me along during this process.”
