Ja Morant is adamantly denying he has a ingesting drawback after the NBA concluded he was intoxicated when he flashed a gun on Instagram earlier this month … telling reporters alcohol was NOT the explanation he entered a counseling program.
Morant spoke publicly for the primary time since rejoining the Grizzlies this week — and the Memphis famous person was requested if alcohol performed a job in his decision-making that finally led to his eight-game suspension.
3/4/23
“Never had an alcohol drawback,” Morant stated. “I did not go there for alcohol. I went there for counseling. To discover ways to handle stress and address stress in a constructive means, as a substitute of the way how I attempted to take care of it earlier than that brought on me to make errors.”
“[The] solely drawback with me proper now could be simply moving into an area mentally that I’m very comfy in and I really feel good at. That’s why I made the choice to take time away and go to counseling. That helped me study plenty of issues.”
Ja stated he contemplated stepping away from the NBA earlier than he was engulfed in drama … admitting he was afraid to go away the group. But the two-time All-Star says he is glad he made the choice to deal with his psychological well being.
Morant — who was on the bench for Memphis on Monday, however did not play within the recreation in opposition to the Mavs — stated now that he is again round his teammates, he is centered on bettering himself and dealing towards getting again on the market on the court docket.
Ja Morant is again on the Grizzlies bench, let’s watch some basketball pic.twitter.com/z8IDXjXkWF
— eric (@EricTweetsNBA) March 21, 2023
@EricTweetsNBA
Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins advised reporters Tuesday he anticipates Morant will play Wednesday evening in opposition to the Houston Rockets — however the 23-year-old phenom described his standing as “nonetheless within the air.”