Ja Morant returns, scores 17 coming off the bench for Grizzlies

MEMPHIS,Tenn. (AP) — Two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant was welcomed backWednesday night with a standing ovation and cheers throughout thearena in his first action after missing nine games —eight because of an NBAsuspension.

Morant, whowas not in the starting lineup against the Houston Rockets, enteredthe game after a timeout with 3:05 left in the first quarter,replacing starter Tyus Jones. The cheers began to build as Morantrose from the bench and made his way to the scorer’s table,adjusting the specially fit mask from a previous nasalfracture.

The standingovation and the cheers reached their peak even before Morant wasannounced as entering the game.

Morant endedup playing 24 minutes and finished with 17 points on 6-for-13shooting overall and 5 for 6 from the line as the Grizzlies beatthe Rockets 130-125. Morant added five assists and fourrebounds.

WELCOME BACK, JA MORANT! pic.twitter.com/kugBKWOB1y

The firstcheers came when Morant emerged from the locker room for pregamewarmups.

Memphis coachTaylor Jenkins said the decision for Morant to come off the benchwas a collaborative one after discussions with Morant and theteam’s medical personnel. The Grizzlies are making sure Morant isbuilding up to game shape. Memphis also went 6-3 during Morant’sabsence contributing to the decision.

“This wassomething he brought to the table as well as it’s been on my mind,”Jenkins said before the game. “So, we collectively thought this wasthe best strategy at least for the first one or two games. Then wewill kind of reevaluate after that.”

This isMorant’s first action since the Grizzlies lost March 3 at Denver.Hours after the game, Morant live-streamed himself at a Denver-areastrip club showing himself briefly brandishing a gun.

That earnedMorant a sit-down with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and $669,000 inpay for the suspension in which the league ruled his conduct was“detrimental to the league.”

Morant’ssuspension ended with Saturday’s game against Golden State. He didnot play in Monday’s game against Dallas, as the team allowed himto work on conditioning before returning to action.

That cameWednesday night. Jenkins said the star guard probably would playbetween 20 and 25 minutes.

“We want tobe really smart, not just over the first couple of game, but thefirst week to two.” Jenkins said. “We want to be smart with thatlayoff that we’re not doing anything to jeopardize his health aswell.”

Inhisfirst comments since his suspension, Morant said Tuesday that hewent to counseling at a Florida facility during his suspension todeal with the stress of becoming one of the NBA’s most popularplayers.

Hisenthusiastic play, with high-scoring and jaw-dropping dunks, haveled to endorsements and rising uniform sales. Asked about whetherthe short period in counseling was enough to resolve his issues,Morant said it’s an ongoing process.

Jenkinsemphasized that Morant being used in a reserve role is simply afocus on transition.

“Eventually,Ja will be our starter,” Jenkins said, drawing a laugh fromreporters.