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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant learned about himself during therapy while suspended from the NBA for 25 games to begin the season, he said Friday. Addressing his potential imminent return to the court in a news conference, the 24-year-old also revealed he had not talked to other NBA players outside of his teammates while sitting out.

Morant, suspended for multiple instances of brandishing a gun in public over the last year, is eligible to return Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.

“Very eye-opening,” Morant said of his work in therapy. “Kind of gave me a new look on life with how I go about my days, how I carry myself. Just being grateful and thankful that I’m still here and in the position that I’m in.”

Morant also said he did not regret his situation because “in the end, it made me better.”

“It’s still a process,” he said. “I’m not done learning myself, but I definitely understand why the things that happened, happened.”

Ja Morant speaking on the importance of therapy and how eye-opening the process was for him, learning things about himself. pic.twitter.com/OPM2tBk1cB

— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) December 15, 2023

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said last week he was scheduled to meet with Morant ahead of his potential return.

“I have been monitoring this situation closely,” Silver said on Dec. 9. “We together laid out a program for him over the last several weeks, and to the best of my knowledge, he’s complied with everything he’s been asked to do.”

Morant said Friday his conversation with the commissioner was “good,” adding: “He was just checking on me, seeing how I was doing, how the process was going.”

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said Thursday that Morant’s physical preparation for his return has been “unbelievable.”

“I expect him to be full go come Game 26,” Jenkins said, per The Associated Press. “He’s really excited. He understands the process that’s gotten him here.”

Morant, as part of a civil lawsuit unrelated to the suspension, testified Monday in a Memphis civil court that he was acting in self-defense when he allegedly hit a teenager during a pickup game at his home earlier this year. Morant is a defendant in the civil suit filed by the teenager involved in the alleged altercation.

The Grizzlies, who finished second in the West last regular season, have been hammered by Morant’s absence, key injuries and roster changes that to this point have not worked out. At 6-17, they are 13th in the Western Conference.

What to make of Morant’s comments

Morant appeared remorseful and reflective for his conduct which landed him a 25-game suspension, while still carrying an element of privacy and honesty. Some of his responses were well-thought-out, and others were brief and to the point. But in all of them, Morant was direct and looked comfortable and poised, more mature and sure of himself.

It’s clear that Morant now understands the consequences of his reckless behavior, while also being fully aware that his actions will ultimately speak for themselves. Last season, Morant’s time away from the organization wasn’t as detrimental, given that Memphis was still considered a contender primed for a deep playoff run.

Things are different now, with an injury-ravaged Grizzlies team that is six and a half games back of a Play-In spot, a position they surely wouldn’t have been in had Morant been available from day one. He expressed guilt and took full responsibility as it pertains to the basketball aspect of his suspension.

“The decisions I made didn’t allow me to be out there to go to battle with my team,” Morant said. — Kelly Iko, NBA staff writer

A window into his state of mind

It was interesting, but not necessarily surprising to hear Morant didn’t speak to any other NBA player during his time away from the game, believing his family and loved ones were the best mentors and pillars he could lean on. Morant’s fire and assertiveness are two endearing qualities that permeate a prideful Grizzlies team, and his return should only further galvanize the group.

Morant offered a window into his state of mind when he admitted learning about himself during this process and just how impactful going to therapy has been for him. Mental health has been a prominent theme in the NBA and has risen to the forefront of a myriad of league-wide discussions. It was refreshing to hear the vulnerability in his tone when speaking about it.

Although he hasn’t been able to physically be in the building to watch his team play, Morant has dedicated himself to extensive film study and praised improvements from Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. Even with that, Morant pushed back on rushed expectations to make the playoffs or Play-In tournament.

“I take it day by day. Just having our focus on the now. Those guys are playing at an All-Star level, All-NBA level. When I come back, hopefully, it stays the same and makes their job easier.” — Iko

Required reading

(Photo: Petre Thomas / USA Today)

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