BREAKING: Update Given On When Ja Morant Could Return This Season

On Wednesday afternoon, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported important updates as to when Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant could return to the floor.
BREAKING: Update Given On When Ja Morant Could Return This Season
BREAKING: Update Given On When Ja Morant Could Return This Season /
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UPDATE: Ja Morant has been suspended eight games by the NBA and will be eligible to return on March 20. (NBA Communications)


Ja Morant has been away from the Memphis Grizzlies since an incident on Saturday, March 4 in which Morant flashed a gun in a live video at a strip club in the Denver area. 

Originally stepping away from the team for two games, the Grizzlies announced on Mar. 8 that Morant would miss the team's next four games through Mar. 15 against the Miami Heat. 

While the Grizzlies themselves have not provided any further updates on Morant's status, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wednesday that the young star met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver in New York and is moving closer to a potential return this season.

Adrian Wojnarowski: "ESPN Sources: Grizzlies star Ja Morant met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver in New York today. Morant has left a counseling program in Florida and moves closer to ramping up for return to season now. He must wait on league announcement of findings in probe, expected soon."

On Monday, Wojnarowski reported with ESPN's Tim MacMahon that Ja Morant had entered a counseling program in Florida with no timetable for his potential return. 

At this time, the NBA continues to investigate this matter involving Morant, as him possibly bringing this gun on the team plane could warrant a suspension from the league. 

If no suspension is handed down by the league, the Grizzlies young star could potentially return to the floor right away. 

(UPDATE: The NBA has since suspended Ja Morant eight games - NBA Communications)

Stepping away from the team the last couple of weeks to get the proper help he needs, Ja Morant is taking the proper steps he needs to in order to resume his career in the NBA. 

The Glendale Police Department in Colorado conducted their own investigation into Morant's live video in which he flashed a gun at the camera in what turned out to be Shotgun Willie's, a Gentlemen's club in Glendale, Colorado. The police closed their investigation, citing that there was not enough "available evidence" to charge anyone with a crime.

The Memphis Grizzlies currently find themselves 41-26 on the season, four full games behind the Denver Nuggets for the 1-seed in the Western Conference and just one game ahead of the Sacramento Kings for the 2-seed. 

Getting Morant back would be a huge boost to this team's chances of succeeding late in the regular season, as well as competing for a championship this year. 


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Brett Siegel
BRETT SIEGEL

Brett Siegel worked with Fastbreak on FanNation until May 2023 as a credentialed NBA journalist after previously covering the NBA for NBA Analysis Network and working with Louisville Basketball. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.