For Morant, almost literally.
The point guard suspended for shooting a gun took to social media twice in three months to post an hourglass emoji several times, most recently on Monday with the words “Back soon” followed by that emoji with the number of days and games remaining until he plays again for a team. Grizzlies.
Morant will speak to reporters Friday morning after the shooting in Memphis. He will make his first appearance of the season Tuesday night in New Orleans.
Coach Taylor Jenkins said Morant was “incredible” as he worked to be ready the moment his suspension ended.
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“I expect him to be ready to play in Game 26,” Jenkins said. “He’s really excited. He understands the process that got him here.”
However, it will be up to Morant to prove that the unannounced steps required during the league-mandated deadline actually worked for everyone who was watching and waiting for any misstep or misstep in his behavior off the field.
The NBA and Grizzlies have said little about the specific terms of Morant’s second suspension in four months for carrying a gun during a friend’s social media live stream in May. On draft night, general manager Zach Klieman called the punishment “appropriate” and it was time for Morant to change his behavior.
The Grizzlies announced on Oct. 2 that Morant was allowed to practice with his teammates, travel to road games and even participate in shootouts. But the goalkeeper was unable to sit on the bench or even be present inside the match arenas.
The NBA also had checkpoints for Morant to meet throughout his suspension, which commissioner Adam Silver said last weekend in Las Vegas he was monitoring closely. Silver also plans to check in with Morant himself this week.
Morant and his team were in weekly contact with both the NBA back office and the NBA Players Association to ensure the high-flying guard followed the program set out for him. Silver said Morant had done everything he was asked to the best of his knowledge.
“We will review the program and ensure the conditions are in place for future success,” Silver said.
Morant has been keeping busy supporting the local high school team and being the Grizzlies’ biggest fan. He testified Monday in a civil lawsuit involving his beating of a teenager in a pick-up game last year after being hit in the chin with a basketball.
He filed a countersuit in April, stating that the lawsuit had jeopardized Morant’s sponsorship along with some “unfinished deals.” So far, Nike has stuck by Morant and his Ja 1 shoe line.
Morant will once again join a team very different from the young, upstart Grizzlies that have earned the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference in each of the past two seasons. The Grizzlies are one of the worst teams in the NBA with a 6-17 record, ahead of only Washington, San Antonio and Detroit.
The franchise that posted a league-best 35-6 record at home last season was the NBA’s last home win of the season. The Grizzlies are 1-10 in Memphis, where empty seats often outnumber fans.
Payne, who missed his first game Wednesday night due to illness, ranks 16th in the NBA with an average of 24.8 points per game. He had a career-high 49 points on December 6, tying Morant for the second-highest single-game point total in franchise history.
As if Morant’s suspension wasn’t painful enough, the Grizzlies have been decimated by injuries.
Center Steven Adams was ruled out for the season with a knee injury just before the season began. Marcus Smart, the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and Luke Kennard have been out since both were injured in the loss to the Lakers on Nov. 14.
Derrick Rose, the 2011 NBA MVP, also missed games due to injury.
So, it’s a good idea for the Grizzlies to design a plan to help Morant prepare for his return. They desperately need him for a chance to get back into the playoff picture. Only the Spurs trail Memphis in the West as of Thursday morning and 6 1/2 games behind Phoenix for the 10th and final spot in play.
Jenkins said Morant was “incredible” with what the Grizzlies designed to get him physically ready. Morant still has to build chemistry with his new teammates along with his conditioning as he returns to the starting lineup carried by Jackson and Payne.
“He’s pushing hard,” Jenkins said.
AP freelance writer Clay Bailey contributed to this report.
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Memphis Grizzlies’ star point guard Ja Morant is gearing up for his much-anticipated return to the court after serving a two-game suspension. Morant expressed his willingness to ‘understand the process’ and has been diligently working on his game to make a strong comeback. His absence has been keenly felt by the team, but fans are eager to see the dynamic player back in action. With a renewed sense of determination, Morant is ready to make a big impact and lead his team to victory once again.