Ja Morant returns from suspension: How long was Memphis Grizzlies star out? And what's next?

Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant returns from suspension against the Pelicans on Tuesday in New Orleans.

The Grizzlies playmaker was suspended for 25 games over the summer by NBA commissioner Adam Silver. Morant will play in a competitive game for the first time since the season-ending loss to the Lakers in Game 6 of the West first round on April 28.

Memphis needs Morant healthy, impactful and available, given its slow start without him.

Here's what to know about Morant's suspension, return, the Grizzlies season to date and what is next.

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How long was Ja Morant suspended?

Ja Morant was suspended for the first 25 regular season games this season.

Why was Ja Morant suspended?

Morant was suspended for the first 25 games of the season by the NBA following a May 14 Instagram Live video clip where Morant brandished a gun. "Conduct detrimental to the league" was the official term used by the league in the suspension announcement.

“The potential for other young people to emulate Ja’s conduct is particularly concerning," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement on June 16. "Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated."

Morant, in a statement in June, apologized to the Grizzlies, his teammates and the city of Memphis.

"To the kids who look up to me, I'm sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I'm going to be better," Morant said in the statement. "To all my sponsors, I'm going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all my fans, I'm going to make it up to you, I promise."

Morant was suspended once before earlier in 2023. He was suspended eight games in March (under the same determination by the NBA, "conduct detrimental to the league") after Morant purportedly brandished a gun on Instagram Live while inside a Colorado club. Morant checked into a counseling program in Florida after the suspension and missed nine total games over three week period in March of the 2022-23 season.

What was Ja Morant doing during the suspension?

Morant was able to practice and travel with the Grizzlies but could not be in the arena during games. The Commercial Appeal's Damichael Cole reported Sunday about what Morant would do during Grizzlies games, including numerous texts in team group texts and watching G-League and high school basketball games in his additional free time.

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Morant has been notably less active on social media during the suspension. Morant had not been available to the media since his suspension until Friday.

There was one public exception to Morant's under-the-radar autumn. He testified last week in Shelby County Circuit Court in a civil case regarding a lawsuit filed by Joshua Holloway. The teen filed the lawsuit after an incident in July 2022 during a pickup basketball game at Morant's home.

Memphis Grizzlies record this season while Ja Morant was suspended

The Grizzlies have struggled for the past two months. Memphis' 6-19 record places the Grizzlies in 13th in the West and is 7.5 games behind 10-seed Phoenix

Memphis is last in the NBA in points per game and next-to-last in 3-point shooting. Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. are the only two Grizzlies players to average more than 12.5 points per game. Marcus Smart has been out since Nov. 14 with a foot injury but is nearing a return. Luke Kennard has been out since the same date with a knee injury. Derrick Rose is week-to-week after injuring his left hamstring.

Morant's return is desperately needed, both for his scoring ability and to open up the floor for others. But the Grizzlies need some injured guards to return too.

When will Ja Morant play next home game in Memphis at FedExForum?

The Grizzlies return home on Thursday to face the Indiana Pacers, which will serve as Morant's return to FedExForum. Morant vs. Tyrese Haliburton should be a treat.

What Memphis Grizzlies have said about Ja Morant's return

Both Jackson and Bane were ready for Morant's return inside the Grizzlies locker room on Monday following a loss to the Thunder, two players happy to get their primary playmaker back on the floor.

He's an All-NBA Hall of Fame-type player, so you're going to have to pay attention and if you do that, we're going to punish you," Jackson said Monday.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said he didn't anticipate lightening the playing time load for Morant upon his return.

"He's going to play pretty significant minutes," Jenkins said Monday. "I won't anticipate going crazy with his minutes, but I don't think it's any kind of restriction."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ja Morant suspension: Why Memphis Grizzlies star returned vs. Pelicans