In his comeback from a 25-game suspension related to social media controversies involving firearms, Ja Morant, the star of the Memphis Grizzlies, showcased an impressive performance, scoring 34 points, including the decisive shot, against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Following the game, Morant sprinted through the tunnel and back into the locker room, leaving a message for his critics: “I kept receipts,” he declared.
The exact nature of these receipts remained unclear. Morant’s absence was not due to a decline in performance or injury but rather stemmed from multiple gun-related incidents, culminating in a second incident where he was captured on social media holding a weapon. The initial incident involved a video from a Denver strip club, resulting in an eight-game suspension, although no charges were filed.
Beyond the firearm incidents, Morant is entangled in a legal dispute arising from a altercation at his residence with a then-17-year-old. Additionally, he faced accusations of threatening the head of security at a Memphis mall and was involved in an incident where the Indiana Pacers claimed a red laser was pointed at their players from an SUV associated with Morant.
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Upon his return against the Pelicans, Morant encountered boos from the crowd, but he responded by elevating his game and leading the Grizzlies to a 115-113 victory, overcoming a 24-point deficit.
“I’ve been putting work in, man,” Morant stated. “I ain’t play a game in eight months. Had a lot of time to learn myself. A lot of hard days where I went through it. But you know, basketball is my life — what I love, therapeutic for me. And I’m just excited to be back.”
Despite the record-setting 34 points in NBA history for a player returning from a 25-game absence, concerns about Morant’s demeanor and lack of remorse persist, particularly highlighted by his defiant mention of “keeping receipts.”
