by Memphis announced Saturday that the Star Guard will miss at least two games as the NBA investigates his worrisome social media activity.
grizzlies Coach Taylor Jenkins offered his support Yes Morant while on Sunday he addressed his absence from the team amid a series of worrying off-court incidents involving the Star Point Guard.
Morant, who will not be on the team for at least the next two games, is currently under investigation by the NBA over an Instagram video that appears to show him in a nightclub with a firearm. The shocking video followed a report Wednesday afternoon that detailed an incident in which Morant allegedly punched a 17-year-old and showed him a gun during a pickup basketball game last summer.
If Morant is absent for Sunday’s road game against them clippers, Jenkins told reporters the team has no timetable for the 23-year-old’s return. Jenkins also acknowledged Morant’s previously reported desire to seek help while he’s away, calling the situation an “ongoing healing process.” according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.
“We take it very seriously,” Jenkins said. per Andrew Griffin the Los Angeles Times. “There are two elements that I want to make very clear. There is a supportive element, someone who needs improvement and needs some help. And then there’s the responsibility to the team that we have to stand up for.
“Of course, there is a lot of attention being paid to gun violence nationally and league-wide. And for us internally, that’s the stance we’ve taken on this issue of how to support Yes during this growth opportunity – it’s a learning opportunity.”
Memphis will continue to be patient with Morant, and the two-time All-Star expressed his desire to better manage stress in a statement following the announcement of the investigation.
“I’m sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire Grizzlies organization that I let you down,” the statement read read. “I will take some time to get help and work on learning better ways to manage stress and my overall well-being.”
On the season, Morant has averaged 27 points, six rebounds and 8.2 assists per game for the second-ranked Grizzlies (38-24) this season. After Sunday’s game against the Clippers, Memphis will remain in LA for a Tuesday matchup against the Clippers lakers.
