Grizzlies' Ja Morant says attempt to manage stress 'ongoing'

MEMPHIS — All-Star point guard Ja Morant, who participated Tuesday in his first practice with the Memphis Grizzlies following an eight-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the NBA, described his counseling to attempt to find better ways to manage stress as «an ongoing process.»

Morant, who the Grizzlies anticipate will make his return in Wednesday's home game against the Houston Rockets, spent 11 days in a Florida counseling facility in the wake of him brandishing a handgun during an early morning Instagram Live videostream from a Denver-area strip club on March 4.

«Obviously took that time to better myself, get in a better space mentally,» Morant said. «It's an ongoing process, a continued process for me. Obviously, I've been there for two weeks, but that doesn't mean I'm completely better. So that's an ongoing process for me that I've still been continuing since I've come out.»

Morant said that he had become concerned about his stress level before the controversy in Colorado, but he did not want to leave his team to enter a counseling program during the season. Morant, who signed a five-year contract extension that could be worth up to $233 million if he is an All-NBA selection again this season, said he has realized over the last two weeks how much he has at stake.

«Obviously, I've made mistakes in the past that cause a lot of negative attention — not only to me, but my family as well, my team, the organization — and I'm completely sorry for that,» said Morant, who leads the Grizzlies with 27.1 points and 8.2 assists per game. «So my job now is, like I said, to be more responsible, more smarter, and don't cause any of that no more.»

According to the statement from the league announcing the suspension, NBA