Placing timetable on Ja Morant's return after appearing to flash gun is 'disrespectful,' Grizzlies coach says

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Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant missed his second consecutive game Tuesday night as his team lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, 112-103. 

Morant is "away from the team" after video surfaced Saturday morning of him appearing to display a gun in an Instagram Live video while at a nightclub following a game against the Denver Nuggets. 

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies during the Western Conference Semifinals against the Golden State Warriors on May 7, 2022, at Chase Center in San Francisco. (Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

The video has prompted an investigation by the NBA and by police in Colorado. 

JA MORANT INCIDENT CAME AFTER PLAYERS-ONLY MEETING ABOUT SHOWING 'BETTER DISCIPLINE' ON ROAD: REPORT

In his pregame press conference in Los Angeles, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins addressed Morant’s absence, declining to say when he would return to the team. 

"We're in touch with him every single day," Jenkins said. "He's still a huge part of what we do. As I said the other day, we love him. We want what's best for him. We support him.... It's a healing process, so if everyone expects something to change overnight, we've got to (do) due diligence and be respectful in that. We're talking about Ja being in a better place personally and also professionally, so to put a timetable on it is disrespectful, in my opinion."

Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins listens to a question about Ja Morant during a news conference on Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The video in question circulated on social media Saturday morning following the Grizzlies' 113-97 loss to the Nuggets Friday night.

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