After completing a 25-game ban, Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant is slated to make his 2023-24 debut as early as December 19. Morant had his first public news conference since the summer on Friday, reflecting on his time away from the club and his road back to eligibility. 

“It was definitely tough, and there were some horrible days,” Morant told reporters. “It was difficult, but as I mentioned at the outset, the support I received throughout this process was invaluable.” It was pretty much all I had at the time. Basketball is obviously something I’ve done pretty much my whole life. Something that I find soothing. Obviously, taking it away makes it more difficult. But I had the proper people around me, from my family to the organization and other partners that assisted me throughout the process.”  

Morant was banned for the first 25 games of the season in June after repeatedly displaying weapons. The first incident happened in March, when Morant was photographed with a revolver outside of a Denver strip club. Morant was banned for eight games and sent to a Florida treatment facility. Morant flashed a gun on a livestream on May 13, after the Grizzlies were eliminated from the playoffs.

Morant said on Friday that his time away from basketball had provided him with perspective.

“I feel like I’m not done yet learning myself or learning new things,” Morant told me. “But I can see why the things that happened happened.” But, like I previously said, I can’t sit here and say I regret anything because, in the end, I feel like it made me better.”

Morant also discussed how he felt “guilt” about his role in Memphis’s early-season struggles. The Grizzlies have struggled without Morant, finishing 13th in the Western Conference with a 6-17 record. 

“There’s definitely some guilt there,” Morant said. “Obviously, I’m not on the court, and obviously, no one likes losing, so our job is to go out there and win.” Even if I’m not on the floor, I accept full responsibility for it. Decisions I made prevented me from going to war with my troops.”  

While the explosive point guard hasn’t seen any game action, he’s kept up with the squad by reviewing footage of what they’ve been doing without him.

“It’s been pretty much film study for me,” Morant added. “Obviously, I’ve been with the majority of the players for a while now, and obviously, we’ve got some new pieces, so as the point guard, those are guys I have to learn and figure out where they want to be on the floor.” In terms of where we stand, I’m not concerned.”