In his first appearance in 235 days, Ja Morant made his season debut this Tuesday and it was nothing short of remarkable. The Memphis star dropped 34 points on 12-for-24 shooting, and added 8 assists, 2 steals, one block and mostly importantly, the game-winner.ย
The 23-year-old had the ball in his hands with only 9.1 seconds left and the score tied against the Pelicans. The point guard took his time, confronted Herb Jones, danced around him and hit the basket to deliver a 115-113 come-back triumph for the Grizzlies.
Ja had been serving a long suspension for what the NBA considered โconduct detrimental to the league,โ after brandishing a gun on a social media livestream for a second time in 10 weeks. 25 games into the campaign, and he already gave his team a win.
โIโve been putting work in, man,โ Morant said still on court after winning the match. โI ainโt played a game in eight months. Had a lot of time to learn myself, a lot of hard days where I went through it. But basketball is my life, what I love, therapeutic for me, and Iโm just excited to be back.โ
Days ago, the Grizzlies star wouldnโt say he regrets being suspended by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for the second time, as he believes it made him a better person.
โIn the end, I feel like it made me better,โ Ja shared at the start of the week. โI feel like I learned some stuff about myself that I did during that process. Very eye-opening. It kind of gave me a new look on life. How I go about my days. How I carry myself.โ
The 23-year-old also assured he knows he wonโt become a better leader for Memphis just talking about it, itโs time to walk the talk.ย โI canโt, you know, make nobody believe me outside of my actions,โ he said. โSo me answering this question with just words probably wonโt mean nothing to nobody.โ
Morant acknowledged that basketball has been his therapy throughout his life and it hasnโt been easy, but he appreciates his family and team for supporting him.ย โThe change will be that my decision-making and how I go about my daily life โฆ being the best Ja I can be,โ the player said.
Teammates and other NBA stars congratulate the Memphis star for his incredible comeback
Every Memphis player has felt Morantโs pain these past months and have been extremely patient alongside the young star. Team veteran Derrick Rose recently gave a brutally honest interview about the truths behind the suspended athlete.
โHeโs a hardworking motherfโer. I know that,โ he said about Ja. โIโm proud of him, very proud of him. Never complains. Heโs there early, there after, at shootaround, practices. Heโs doing everything the team wants him to do, and Iโm just happy that heโs creating his own reality and his own bubble. You can just see it. You havenโt heard anything about him. And thatโs a great thing.โ
love is love ๐ https://t.co/Jrs9WKtoZJ
โ Ja Morant (@JaMorant) December 20, 2023
A number of NBA stars poured some love for Morant, including four-time NBA champion LeBron James. โWelcome back!! Go be GREAT again!!โย the Lakers forward posted on X.
The leagueโs all-time leading scorer has always been outspoken about the Memphis guardโs potential, as he praised him back in April when both teams clashed in the playoffs.ย โThat boy is goodโฆwhen great players get it going, thereโs nothing you can do,โ LeBron said after Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round.