Morant apologizes again after NBA suspension for mistakes

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis star guard JaMorant says he obviously made a terrible decision and manymistakes.

The two-time All-Star apologized again Tuesday.

“I’m completely sorry for that,” Morant said after practice,speaking publicly for the first time since concluding hiseight-game suspension by the NBA. “So, you know, my job now is,like I said, to be more responsible, more smarter, and don’t causeany of that no more.”

The next question is when Morant is back on the floor for theGrizzlies. Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said he anticipates Morantplaying in the Grizzlies next game — Wednesday night againstHouston. Morant said his status is “still in the air.”

“Once I feel like I’m back in rhythm and in good condition to goback out there, I’ll be back out there,” Morant said.

The NBA suspended Morant eight games for brandishing a gun in asocial media video post at a Denver-area strip club on March 4. Theeighth game was Saturday’s win over the Golden State Warriors.

Morant had been in counseling at a Florida facility while heserved his suspension.

With an unusual number of reporters surrounding him Tuesday andmicrophones near his face, the 6-foot-3 guard said he “never had analcohol problem.” He also plans to abandon social media and let hisactions speak for him.

Asked if two weeks was enough to clear up his problems, Morantreplied it is an “ongoing process.”

“I went there to counseling to learn how to manage stress,”Morant said. “Cope with stress in a positive way, instead of waysI’ve tried to deal with it before that caused me to makemistakes.”

Morant, who signed a five-year supermax contract with Memphislast summer, said he’s focused on growing as a leader as hisstardom rises and he continues to garner business deals such as hisown Ja1 shoe for Nike.

He was on the bench in street clothes Monday night when Memphisbeat Dallas 112-108 with the Grizzlies giving him time to conditionhimself after two weeks away.

During his absence, Memphis went 6-3 and returned to the secondspot in the Western Conference just 3 1/2 games behind Denver.

Forward Dillon Brooks said Morant — seeing how the team hasplayed recently — offered to come off the bench when hereturns.

Brooks vehemently rejected that suggestion.

“I said; ‘Hell, no.’ You’re too good of a player,” Brooks saidof the conversation. “You’re the engine of this team, and I’m goingto need you out there getting reps and getting acclimated to whoyou are as that third quarter, fourth quarter closer.”

That’s the consensus in the Memphis locker room, including TyusJones, who replaced Morant at point guard. They don’t see theGrizzlies’ leading scorer needing to do anything to win back thetrust of his teammates. Morant ranks ninth in the NBA stillaveraging 27.1 points per game.

“We’re looking forward to getting him back on the court, notnecessarily putting the past behind us, but learning from the pastand continuing to improve moving forward — for him, for this team,”Jones said.

When Morant came to the Grizzlies bench just before the tipoffof Monday’s game, the Memphis faithful gave him a standing ovation,a cheer that built as fans recognized him emerging from the tunnelfrom the locker room. Brooks said that shows what Morant means tothe team and the city.

“He’s the one who really put this city on the map,” Brooks said.“We were a low-market team just roaming around the NBA. Now, we’reone of the most talked-about teams in the NBA. We have a pride anda chip on our shoulder every single game.

“He doesn’t have to prove nothing to us.”