Ja Morant has had a messy couple of months lately based on his off-court activities. Shortly after the Memphis Grizzlies concluded their playoff run last season, he got caught flashing a handgun on social media. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only time Morant had gotten into trouble for violating league and federal laws. Initially, the entire basketball community wanted to cancel him for his negligent behavior on social media. But now, they desperately want to see him back in action.
After the incident took place, the NBA took a while before issuing a final verdict on the incident. Morant involving himself in such a case only put his career into jeopardy. But considering how well he transitioned into a professional athlete, the league left him off with a couple of less severe punishments. He was suspended for 25 games and excluded from any team or league-related activity.
Earlier, Ja Morant was suspended from eight games after the first gun incident. However, various assault reports involving the 2x All-Star made their way to the surface. Morant allegedly assaulted a boy in Tennessee. His childhood friend Davonte Pack was issued an arrest warrant over this matter. Morant and his mother were also accused of threatening to harm a shoe store shopkeeper at a local mall as well. This painted a terrible image of the athlete.
When is Ja Morant returning?
It has been eight months since the second gun incident took place and just over a month and a half since the start of the 2023-24 season. Ja Morant is completing his final few days of suspension, which means he will be making a return very soon. He revealed that he will be returning on December 19, 2023, as the Grizzlies take on the New Orleans Pelicans.
Ja Morant putting in work ahead of his eligible NBA return on December 19 for the Grizzlies vs. Pelicans 👀🔥
(via 44courts/IG) pic.twitter.com/eztMrNeF9S
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 8, 2023
In a video posted by Clutchpoints on X, Morant was seen putting in some work before officially making a return. Morant also seems to have increased his muscle mass as well. Last season, he averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game. However, the Grizzlies went severely off track as tensions between them and Dillon Brooks arose.
The Grizzlies aren’t playing as dominant as they were last season. They are ranked 13th in the Western Conference with a record of 6 wins and 14 losses at the moment. Desmond Bane has been their only source of help besides Jaren Jackson Jr., but that pair hasn’t done too well. Hopefully, the Grizzlies gather themselves up following Morant’s return.