Grizzlies tried to address Ja Morant’s actions before gun video

MEMPHIS,Tenn. (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said Thursdaythat members of the organization had spoken to All-Star guard JaMorant about his off-the-court conduct before he posted a video inwhich he appeared to be displaying a gun in a strip club.

The teamhad been hoping to avoid a situation like what happened this pastweekend, which led to Morant being away from the team for at leastsix games, Jenkins said before Thursday night’s game against theGolden State Warriors.

“We havehad conversations in the past trying to guide him and help himcontinue to evolve as a person and a player,” Jenkins said of thediscussions before the incident in Glendale, Colorado. “Obviously,this came to a head the other day, so we put this process intoaction.”

Morant, theteam’s leading scorer, livestreamed the video of himself with theapparent weapon on his Instagram account after the Nuggets beat theGrizzlies on Friday night.Glendale police said Wednesday therewas not enough evidenceto pursue criminal charges againstMorant.

TheGrizzlies initially announced the 23-year-old would miss at leasttwo games. Immediately after Glendale police said they would notpursue charges, the team said he would not play at least four moregames.

That meansthe earliest Morant could return would be March 17 at San Antonio.The Grizzlies entered Thursday’s game tied with Sacramento forsecond in the Western Conference.

“There aredefinitely steps that are going to have to be met — personally andprofessionally,” Jenkins said, “as he deals with some stuffpersonally to get better.”

Morant’sabsence comes with Memphis on a three-game losing streak. Reservecenter Brandon Clarke tore his left Achilles tendon in Fridaynight’s loss at Denver, ending his season. The team also announcedThursday that starting center Steven Adams, who was expected toreturn to action soon,would be re-evaluated in fourweeksdue to a knee injury.

ButMorant’s situation has drawn the most attention because of concernsabout the behavior of one of the NBA’s most electrifyingplayers.

“Everyonewants to know what's this going to be,” Jenkins said of Morant’sabsence. “It’s the hot topic for sure. But he’s taking time. Theresponsibility to get better personally. That’s a big factor inthis.”