Google News Ja Morant 'grateful' how his first game back after gun suspension video went
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Ja Morant was thrilled with how his return to the Memphis Grizzlies went as he thanked his team and Grizzlies fans for their reception. On Wednesday, Morant played his first game since the gun video incident from earlier this month.
After serving an eight-game suspension, Morant came off the bench against the Houston Rockets in his first game back. Against the Rockets, Morant had 17 points and he also dished out five assists in a 130-125 win. "It meant a lot, man.
Obviously, I'm thankful and grateful for everybody who's been supporting me during this time. It definitely helped me a lot, definitely made me feel a little better. Eased everything that was going on. Felt good to be back. Super excited.
Glad we was able to get the win," Morant said, per ESPN.
Morant: I didn't want to mess up the team's chemistry
While Morant was sidelined, the Grizzlies won six of their past seven games. When Morant returned, he was careful not to mess up what they had going while he was suspensed.
"I didn't want to come back and mess any of that chemistry up. Obviously, I was watching film once my time was getting closer to being back, watching how they was playing. Obviously, it's different from watching and actually being out there.
So getting back into the flow, getting back into the offense. Also getting back comfortable with everything. My mental is very important to me, and that was one of the reasons why," Morant explained. In his first game back, Morant played 24 minutes.
Also, this was the first time in Morant's career that he came off the bench for the Grizzlies. But going forward, the plan is to slowly reintegrate Morant into the team's starting lineup. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies have improved to 45-27 on the season and they are the second-ranked team in the Western Conference standings.
