Grizzlies’ Morant returns following 25-game suspension
NEW ORLEANS — Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant’s 25-game suspension stemming from his social media antics with handguns ended Tuesday, making him available to play against the Pelicans in New Orleans.
“He’s been awesome outside of not being able to play in the games,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said Friday night before Memphis’ last home game. “He’s taken every opportunity to be with his teammates. He’s been leaning into the team a lot, (doing) off-court stuff with his teammates.”
Under the terms of his suspension, Morant was able to practice and travel with the Grizzlies and take part in morning shootarounds. But he was not permitted to be in an arena with his team during games.
Jenkins said the twotime NBA All-Star increasingly has been involved in practices during the past couple weeks. Morant also has been video-chatting with teammates during games.
“He seems to be in a really good spot. The way he’s responded in the 5-on-5s the last couple of days has been really good,” Jenkins said. “He’s been preparing for this for the last couple of months. He’s really been pouring into the conditioning side of his body, strength, and (he’s) really impressed with the work there.”
Morant, who spoke with reporters for the first time this season on Friday, has said he’s been counting down the days until his return and he is thankful to still be in the league and rejoining his team.
Morant rejoins a very different Memphis squad from the one he last took the court with in April.
These Grizzlies have been decimated by injuries and are among the NBA’s worst teams early this season. They entered Tuesday on a five-game skid after a 116-97 loss in Oklahoma City on Monday night.
L.A. hangs banner for tourney title
The Los Angeles Lakers have hung a modest black banner at their downtown arena to celebrate their unbeaten run to the championship of the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament.
The Lakers unveiled the black-and-gold banner nestled near the franchise’s 17 NBA championship banners on Monday night before they hosted the Knicks. Los Angeles then lost to New York 114-109, taking its third defeat in four games since winning the tournament title in Las Vegas on Dec. 9.
The Lakers paused their pregame warmups for a brief tribute video and a celebration with the NBA Cup as their fans clapped politely. Nobody addressed the crowd before the banner was uncovered to more cheers.
“I think it was awesome,” said LeBron James, who posted his 109th career triple-double in the loss. “To acknowledge wins throughout the course of a marathon, I think it’s pretty cool. That’s the first. That’s the inauguration of it, so for our fans that didn’t get an opportunity to be in Vegas, they got an opportunity to kind of share that celebration with us tonight, share that moment. Something that will live on forever, for sure, here.”
Rockets’ Brooks, Udoka given fines
Houston forward Dillon Brooks and coach Ime Udoka have been fined for directing inappropriate language to officials at the end of a 128-119 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday.
Brooks was fined $35,000 for his language and for publicly criticizing the officiating.
Udoka was fined $25,000, the NBA announced Tuesday.