Ja Morant has made ‘difficult decisions and poor choices,’ no timetable to return, coach says
Coach Taylor Jenkins said Sunday that there is no timetable for Jay Morant to return to the Memphis Grizzlies after he sits out over the weekend after a controversy in which he livestreamed on social media at a nightclub. The gun appears to be pointing, coach Taylor Jenkins said Sunday.
Morant was not with the team for the Grizzlies’ game Sunday against the Clippers in Los Angeles. The team will play the Lakers on Tuesday.
Jenkins said before the team’s game against the Clippers that Morant made “tough decisions and bad choices” for which he should be held accountable.
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Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins listens to a question about Ja Morant during a news conference before an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
“He’s definitely embracing the mistakes that he’s made but only time will tell. We’re going to support him and we’re going to hold him accountable to make those changes,” Jenkins said, referring to Morant. said while refusing to take the right steps. Finish to return to Grizzlies.
“We love him, we want what’s best for him, we support him. It’s going to be a tough process but we’ve got a great group to get through it.”
Jenkins added that it was “an ongoing healing process.”
Morant streamed the video on his Instagram Live and a screenshot of what appears to be him holding the gun was quickly circulated around social media outlets.
March 3, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) adjusts his face guard during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
NBA Great Paul Pierce Comes to Jay Morant’s Defense on Gun Controversy: ‘Y’all Don’t Know What He’s Going Through’
He later apologized after receiving a two-match suspension.
“I take full responsibility for my actions last night,” Morant said. “I apologize to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire Grizzlies organization for letting you down. I’m going to take some time to get help and work on learning better ways. Going. Coping with stress and my overall well-being.
The gun incident is the latest in a series of ongoing controversies surrounding the superstar point guard. Morant’s actions came under scrutiny after a Jan. 29 incident in Memphis in which he said one of his friends, Devonte Peck, was banned from home games for a year.
March 3, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) looks on during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
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Morant and Peck are also involved in a civil lawsuit brought after an incident last summer in which a 17-year-old alleged they assaulted him at Morant’s home. The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office said in January that it was “aware of the incident, and after a careful review of the facts, decided there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the case.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
