No timetable for Ja Morant’s return during ‘healing process’

LOS ANGELES(AP) — There’s no timetable for Ja Morant to return to the MemphisGrizzlies, and the All-Star guard knows he’s made “difficultdecisions and poor choices” that he has to be accountable for,coach Taylor Jenkins said Sunday night.

Morant wasnot with the team in Los Angeles for games against the Clippers onSunday and the Lakers on Tuesday while the NBA investigates asocial media post in which Morant appeared to be holding a gun.

“Very toughmoment, for sure,” Jenkins said of the video.

Morantstreamed the video on his Instagram account early Saturday ofhimself holding what appeared to be a gun at a nightclub, hoursafter playing in Denver. He said in a statement through the agencythat represents him that he takes “full responsibility” for hisactions and that he was going to “take some time away to gethelp.”

“Heunderstands he’s made some difficult decisions and poor choices inthe past that he’s got to account for,” Jenkins said. “He’sdefinitely embracing the mistakes that he’s made but only time willtell. We’re going to support him and we’re going to hold himaccountable to make those changes.”

Jenkinsdeclined to outline the steps Morant needs to take to rejoin theteam, saying, “We love him, we want what’s best for him, we supporthim. It’s going to be a difficult process but we’ve got a greatgroup to get through this.”

He calledit “an ongoing healing process.”

The league,if it finds wrongdoing, could fine or suspend Morant.

Morant alsowas the subject of a league investigation after a Jan. 29 incidentin Memphis that he said led to a friend of his being banned fromhome games for a year. That incident occurred after a game againstthe Indiana Pacers. Multiple media outlets reported that members ofthe Pacers saw a red dot pointed at them, and a team security guardbelieved the laser was attached to a gun.

The NBAconfirmed that unnamed individuals were banned from the arena butsaid its investigation found no evidence that anyone was threatenedwith a weapon.

“This is atough time for a young kid that’s got to grow and get better,”Jenkins said. “He’s got huge responsibilities not just for theteam, for the city, but I know how he’s built with that care factorand what steps he’s now taking. It’s a step in the direction ofreally being the best version of himself.”

Now in hisfourth season with the Grizzlies, the 23-year-old two-time All-Staris the father of a young daughter. Jenkins described Morant as “agenerally amazing person, great family person, a father, brother,son, member of our community.”

“My hope isthat he just gets better,” Jenkins said. “He knows he’s got a lotof love and support.”