Morant apologizes again after NBA suspension for mistakes
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis star guard Ja Morant says he obviously made a terrible decision and many mistakes.
The twotime 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 was 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.”
Morant, who signed a five-year supermax contract with Memphis last summer, said he’s focused on growing as a leader as his stardom rises and he continues to garner business deals such as his own Ja1 shoe for Nike.
He was on the bench in street clothes Monday night when Memphis beat Dallas 112-108 with the Grizzlies giving him time to condition himself after two weeks away.
During his absence, Memphis went 6-3 and returned to the second spot in the Western Conference just 3 1/2 games behind Denver.
Forward Dillon Brooks said Morant — seeing how the team has played recently — offered to come off the bench when he returns.
Brooks vehemently rejected that suggestion.
“I said; ‘Hell, no.’ You’re too good of a player,” Brooks said of the conversation. “You’re the engine of this team, and I’m going to need you out there getting reps and getting acclimated to who you are as that third quarter, fourth quarter closer.”
Brooks is expected to sit out tonight’s game to serve his one-game suspension for his 18th technical foul of the season.
Joe Dumars, the league’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations, announced the suspension Tuesday. Brooks also was suspended for a loss to the Clippers on March 5 after receiving his 16th technical foul in a loss to Denver on March 3.
Brooks earned his latest suspension in the third quarter Monday against the Mavericks after he dunked and then danced his way back down the court.