Why is Ja Morant not participating in the NBA In-Season Tournament in 2023?
Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies will be suspended for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season. In May, he was suspended for his second gun incident on social media. So, why is Ja Morant not participating in the NBA In-Season Tournament in 2023?
All group stage and knockout stage games will qualify as regular-season outings, according to the regulations of the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament. The lone exception is the championship game, which will be the finalists’ 83rd game of the regular season.
Morant will miss the entire 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament because the majority of the games are part of the regular season. The two-time All-Star is eligible to return against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 19.
Ja Morant has been low-key and out of the public spotlight since his suspension. An ESPN article about how the Memphis Grizzlies catered to Morant’s escalating attitude issues re-ignited the matter.
Nonetheless, Morant is beginning to rehabilitate his reputation by assisting teenagers through his collaboration with Nike. In late September, he made an unexpected appearance at Nike’s “Only Basketball” event in Memphis.
He led a hoop session with a group of young players before presenting them with a pair of his trademark shoes and some life advise.
“Believe in yourself,” stated Morant. “You obviously believe in yourself. There will be a lot of external factors that will divert you from your ultimate aim. Just keep focused, shut out the noise, and be loyal to yourself.”
Memphis Grizzlies are 0-6 without Ja Morant to start the season.
The Memphis Grizzlies get off to a shaky start in the NBA season 2023-24. They will be missing Ja Morant for the first 25 games of the season, but they have also lost Dillon Brooks to free agency. This summer, they added Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose to compensate for Morant’s absence and Brooks’ departure.
However, it is ineffective since the Grizzlies are the league’s only surviving winless club. They’ve lost to the New Orleans Pelicans, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, and Portland Trail Blazers to open the season.
Despite their terrible record, the Grizzlies have been competitive, but they still need Morant. They’re also plagued by injuries, with Steven Adams out for the season and Brandon Clarke out with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The Grizzlies’ record when Morant returns from suspension will be intriguing to watch. He may either be the team’s salvation or send them to the lottery.
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