LOS ANGELES - Ja Morant has learnt his lesson, and now he is very clear that "basketball is my life".
The Memphis Grizzlies guard made a scintillating return from a 25-game suspension on Dec 19, driving for a game-winning lay-up as time expired to lift his team to a 115-113 National Basketball Association (NBA) road victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The basket capped a 34-point, eight-assist, six-rebound performance from Morant, who was suspended by the league for the first 25 games of the season after two social media posts in which he appeared to be recklessly waving guns.
He looked a little rusty to start, and a little weary at the finish, but ultimately he delivered everything the Grizzlies could have hoped for and more.
"I ain't played a game in eight months," Morant told broadcaster TNT.
"Had a lot of time... and a lot of hard days when I went through it.
I've been putting work in, man.
Had a lot of time to learn about myself.
"But you know, basketball is my life what I love, therapeutic for me. And I'm just excited to be back.
Denne historien er fra December 21, 2023-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra December 21, 2023-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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