Ja Morant isn’t concerned with proving anyone wrong or forgetting the challenges he’s faced over the past two years. The Memphis Grizzlies point guard is simply grateful to be back on the basketball court.
“At the moment, I’m happy, and that’s my primary focus,” Morant shared on Monday. “I believe that a happy Ja can be a daunting presence for many. As long as I stay happy and healthy, it’s going to be a fantastic season.”
Morant’s rapid fall from grace was much swifter than his rise from being the No. 2 overall draft pick to becoming a prominent figure for both the Grizzlies and the NBA. After dealing with a suspension and a shoulder injury that limited him to just nine games last season, he is now healthy and ready to return to form.
During the Grizzlies’ media day, Morant reflected on the lessons he has learned from his experiences both on and off the court. Embracing his high-flying, fearless playing style again could mark the redemption journey not just for Morant, but for the Grizzlies and the NBA as well.
“I want to keep in mind the feelings I experienced each time, regardless of the situation,” Morant explained. “I think that has helped me grow into a better version of myself. Right now, I feel like I’m probably the happiest I’ve been in quite a while.”
Morant’s impressive ascent culminated in him winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2020. As the 2022 Most Improved Player, he played a key role in leading Memphis to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference for two consecutive seasons.
Ja Morant is a two-time All-Star who made it onto the All-NBA team for the 2021-22 season. This success led the Grizzlies to award him a five-year, supermax contract in 2022 that could be worth up to $231 million.
However, off-court issues began to overshadow Morant’s impressive highlights, including his acrobatic dunks and pinpoint assists. In March 2023, he was suspended for eight games after he posted a video on social media showing a gun from a strip club. A subsequent incident in May 2023 resulted in a 25-game suspension at the start of last season.
Morant made his comeback in December, stating that only his on-court performance could demonstrate his personal growth. Unfortunately, he managed to play just nine games, during which he averaged 25.1 points and helped the Grizzlies achieve a 6-3 record. However, on January 8, the Grizzlies announced that he would miss the remainder of the season due to surgery needed to repair a torn right shoulder sustained in practice two days earlier.
With Morant sidelined and a roster plagued by injuries, Memphis finished the season with a 27-55 record and selected Zach Edey, a two-time AP Player of the Year from Purdue, with the ninth overall pick in the draft.