MORANT MAY RETURN TO COURT TONIGHT
Memphis star guard Ja Morant says he obviously made a terrible decision and many mistakes.
The two-time All-Star apologized again Tuesday.
“I’m completely sorry for that,” Morant said after practice, speaking publicly for the first time since concluding his eight-game suspension by the NBA. “So, you know, my job now is, like I said, to be more responsible, more smarter, and don’t cause any of that no more.”
The next question is when Morant is back on the floor for the Grizzlies. Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said he anticipates Morant playing in the Grizzlies next game — tonight against Houston. Morant said his status is “still in the air.”
“Once I feel like I’m back in rhythm and in good condition to go back out there, I’ll be back out there,” Morant said.
The NBA suspended Morant eight games for brandishing a gun in a social media video post at a Denver-area strip club on March 4. The eighth game was Saturday’s win over the Golden State Warriors.
Morant had been in counseling at a Florida facility while he served his suspension.
With an unusual number of reporters surrounding him Tuesday and microphones near his face, the 6-foot-3 guard said he “never had an alcohol problem.” He also plans to abandon social media and let his actions speak for him.
Asked if two weeks were enough to clear up his problems, Morant replied it is an “ongoing process.”
“I went there to counseling to learn how to manage stress,” Morant said. “Cope with stress
in a positive way, instead of ways I’ve tried to deal with it before that caused me to make mistakes.”
Teammate Dillon Brooks will sit tonight after being suspended a game for getting his 18th technical foul.
Tuesday’s games
Celtics 132, Kings 109: Jayson Tatum scored 36 points and Boston ended a long road trip on a high note by beating Sacramento.
Boston bounced back from blowing a 19-point lead in Utah on Saturday night by knocking off one of the top teams in the Western Conference. It won four of six on the trip.
Jaylen Brown added 27 points and Derrick White scored 20 to help the Celtics open up a one-game lead over Philadelphia in the Atlantic Division.
Thunder 101, Clippers 100:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points as visiting Oklahoma City edged L.A., which got 21 points from Kawhi Leonard and 18 from Paul George.
Cavaliers 115: Nets 109:
Donovan Mitchell had five 3pointers and one sensational slam dunk among his 31 points, and host Cleveland opened a big lead in the third quarter and held on to beat Brooklyn.
Pelicans 119: Spurs 84:
Brandon Ingram scored 32 points, Jonas Valanciunas had 19 points and 15 rebounds and host New Orleans rolled.
Hawks 129, Pistons 107:
Trae Young had 30 points and 12 assists in host Atlanta’s easy victory.
Magic 122, Wizards 112:
Rookie Pablo Banchero had 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, sending host Orlando to the victory.