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Memphis Grizzlies All-Star level guard Ja Morant may return from an eight-game suspension as early as Wednesday in opposition to the Houston Rockets, per Shams Charania. Morant was eligible to return for Monday night time’s sport in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks, however the Grizzlies dominated him out with the intention of consulting with the medical workers earlier than figuring out his standing for Wednesday’s sport.
The NBA introduced on March 15 that Morant was suspended for eight video games with out pay for conduct detrimental to the league. The suspension stems from a video Morant posted on his Instagram Live the place he had a gun at a Denver-area nightclub after a loss to the Nuggets on March 3. The suspension handed down by the league was retroactive, so it included the 5 video games Morant sat out after the Grizzlies introduced that he can be taking time away from the staff.
During Morant’s absence from the staff, he hung out at a counseling heart in Florida, and he additionally met with league commissioner Adam Silver. Following Morant’s assembly with Silver, the commissioner issued the next assertion:
“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless and doubtlessly very harmful,” Silver mentioned within the assertion. “It additionally has severe penalties given his huge following and affect, significantly amongst younger followers who look as much as him. He has expressed honest contrition and regret for his habits. Ja has additionally made it clear to me that he has discovered from this incident and that he understands his obligations and accountability to the Memphis Grizzlies and the broader NBA group lengthen effectively past his play on the court docket.”
In Morant’s absence, the Grizzlies have managed to remain afloat, going 5-3 within the eight video games with out their All-Star guard. They’re at present in a decent battle with the Sacramento Kings for the No. 2 spot within the Western Conference. With 12 video games left on Memphis’ schedule, getting Morant again ought to give the Grizzlies a lift down the stretch run to attempt to safe the No. 2 spot heading into the postseason.
