Ja Morant Says He Would not Have Alcohol Downside After Return From Suspension

Ja Morant is adamantly denying he has a ingesting drawback after the NBA concluded he was intoxicated when he flashed a gun on Instagram earlier this month … telling reporters alcohol was NOT the rationale he entered a counseling program.

Morant spoke publicly for the primary time since rejoining the Grizzlies this week — and the Memphis famous person was requested if alcohol performed a task in his decision-making that in the end led to his eight-game suspension.

“By no means had an alcohol drawback,” Morant mentioned. “I did not go there for alcohol. I went there for counseling. To learn to handle stress and address stress in a optimistic manner, as a substitute of how how I attempted to take care of it earlier than that prompted me to make errors.”

“[The] solely drawback with me proper now could be simply moving into an area mentally that I am very comfy in and I really feel good at. That is why I made the choice to take time away and go to counseling. That helped me study a whole lot of issues.”

Ja mentioned he contemplated stepping away from the NBA earlier than he was engulfed in drama … admitting he was afraid to go away the crew. However the two-time All-Star says he is glad he made the choice to handle his psychological well being.

Morant — who was on the bench for Memphis on Monday, however did not play within the recreation in opposition to the Mavs — mentioned now that he is again round his teammates, he is targeted on enhancing himself and dealing towards getting again on the market on the court docket.