Why Ja Morant isn't speaking to reporters at 2023 Memphis Grizzlies media day
The Memphis Grizzlies are hosting media day Monday, but one notable player isn't allowed to appear publicly. All-star point guard Ja Morant is not among the Grizzlies players who will be speaking to reporters, a team official announced before General Manager Zach Kleiman took the podium.
Morant is currently serving a 25-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the league. The decision to hold Morant out of media day is an NBA decision.
Even though he's not speaking at media day, Morant will be around Grizzlies "full time," including traveling and practices, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said on Monday.
After Morant was first suspended in March for his first gun incident in an Instagram Live video, the Grizzlies slowly incorporated him back into game shape. He missed the first game he was eligible to return before coming off the bench for the first time in his career.
There is an expectation that Morant will be cleared to return around the team before he serves the full length of the suspension, but that timeline is unknown.
Morant is expected to be eligible to play his first game on Dec. 19 against the New Orleans Pelicans (7:30 p.m., TNT). Memphis has 13 national televised games scheduled this season, and 12 of those are expected to be after Morant returns.
The Grizzlies will begin preseason action against the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 8 (7 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast).
Outside of Morant, many of the returning Grizzlies are expected to speak on media day. Steven Adams and Ziaire Williams are two of the biggest storylines after injuries shortened their previous season.
Adams and Williams were not made available at the Grizzlies’ end of season availability after their first-round playoff loss against the Los Angeles Lakers.
New Grizzlies guard Derrick Rose is also expected to be among those who will make his first public comments since joining the team.
Brandon Clarke, who is recovering from an achilles injury suffered in March, also won't be available at media day.
MORANT SIGHTING: Ja Morant makes first notable appearance since 25-game NBA suspension
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Why Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant isn't speaking at media day
