Grizzlies Star Ja Morant Breaks Silence On 'Tough' Suspension Ahead Of Return

For the first time since his 25-game suspension began earlier this year, NBA star Ja Morant has addressed reporters about the experience, and just days ahead of his much-anticipated return to the court.

Calling the suspension "tough" and saying he had some "horrible days," Morant opens up about how it all made him "better."

"It's been a process. Obviously thankful for, you know, the support I had during this time. Obviously it's not easy, you know, not being out there on the floor and having to watch, but you know with everything else, being around the team, being able to practice, being able to travel, the guys just constantly talking to me and vice versa, it's been good," he told reporters on Friday during his first public presser since his suspension began.

"I've pretty much just been focusing on me, honestly, outside of the basketball stuff. But basketball-wise, just becoming more a leader with my talk."

Morant was suspended for 25-games back in June after his second Instagram Live incident in which he brandished a firearm. The first instance occurred just months prior in March when he was seen flashing a gun at a Denver strip club. He was suspended for eight games and went to a counseling program. But then on May 13, Morant once again flashed a firearm during an Instagram Live.

During much of his suspension, he wasn't posting on social media or talking to media, but more recently, he's been allowed to practice and travel with his team and has been posting more online for fans.

Morant recently met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver for a "check in" before returning to the court. The Grizzlies star told reporters that the conversation was "good."

Morant said while on suspension, he worked on "protecting his peace." He also said the last few months have been "tough," but he credits his support system for helping him through.

"It was definitely tough, some horrible days. It was tough, but like I said to start this, with the support that I had throughout this process, it definitely helped me a lot. It's pretty much all I could lean on at that time," he said.

"Obviously, basketball is something I've been doing pretty much my whole life. Something that's therapeutic for me. Obviously taking that away, it makes it tougher. But, like I said, I had the right people around me, from my family to the organization and to my other partners that helped me along in the process."

Morant also said he's learned a lot from this process and is excited to get back in action on the court. He said that the Instagram post his team shared that highlighted certain words such as "accountability" and "gratitude" was something he felt was important.

"It's pretty much just something, we had a sit down and talk amongst each other. Just a word that each one of us came up with that we felt like could help me get through to send a message and they decided to surprise me with t-shirts of the words that we pretty much agreed on," he explained. "That's all that was pretty much behind it."

When asked just what "protecting my peace" means to him, Morant explained it's what keeps him happy.

"Just doing whatever keeps me happy, keep me in a good mood," he said. "Right now, honestly, I feel like the number one thing outside of being around my family and having more time to spend with my daughter is being around the team. I feel like that's when I normally have my best days, when I'm normally in my best mood."

Morant was open and honest talking about the mistakes he feels he's made this past year that's led him to being suspended.

"I made a lot of mistakes. Not some that's even been public," he explained. "Even with my family. It's a lot."

Over the past few months, Morant has had a lot of focus on self-reflection and learning and admits that it was a tough process.

"It's been tough. A lot of learning, a lot of teaching. It's been a process, obviously, I wouldn't say I regret it, but I'm not happy that it happened," he continued. "But I'm also grateful that I had this opportunity to reflect and do things that I felt like was not only needed for me but for my family as well for us to realize pretty much you know all that's at stake, ways we can keep each other happy and how we just have each other's back."

When asked who Morant is learning from specifically, he said "therapy" and himself.

"I feel like I learned some stuff about myself that I didn't during that process. Very eye opening," he said. "Kind of gave me a new look, a life, with how I go about my days, how I carry myself, you know, just being grateful and thankful that I'm still here in the position I'm in."

Moving forward, the Grizzlies star said he's focusing on being "the best Ja" he can be.

Morant returns to the court on Tuesday, Dec. 19 when the Grizzlies go up against the New Orleans Pelicans at 7:30 p.m. ET.