Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. gets 100% real on Ja Morant’s previous off-the-court concerns

There is always an adjustment period that comes with all the fame and fortune of being one of the most well-known professional athletes on the planet. But now that Ja Morant’s off-court troubles appear to be over and done with, they can now turn their attention to bouncing back next season after injuries ravaged Morant and the rest of the Grizzlies’ season.

“Sometimes, you make mistakes and stuff happens. But injuries are part of the game, unfortunately, and I’ve been there. [Ja]’s never had an injury like that. He handled it really well. He was still a voice at all times, he never stopped working out. I’m proud of him for that,” Jackson added. “Injuries is part of it. But now that’s over with. We have time to get it back together, and we look ahead.”

Ja Morant’s 2023 — a year to forget

Ja Morant landed in hot water in March 2023 after he engaged in a pattern of concerning off-court behavior. He and his entourage were reportedly caught harassing an employee at a mall, he reportedly punched a 17-year old boy in the face during a pickup basketball game, and then a car allegedly containing Morant and his entourage pointed a laser from a gun towards an Indiana Pacers team bus following a game between them and the Grizzlies.

However, the low point in Morant’s career was the time he flashed a gun on his Instagram live while being in an adult club in Colorado. This immediately drew the attention of the league as the Grizzlies reported that their star point guard was taking time off the team. The league then suspended Morant for eight games.

But Morant’s troubles did not end there. He was caught brandishing a gun on Instagram live for the second time in three months, and the Grizzlies promptly suspended him from participating in team activities while the league took its time in determining which punishment fit Morant’s actions. The league settled on a 25-game suspension, putting the Grizzlies on the backfoot from the get-go of the 2023-24 season.

Since then, it seems like Morant has learned his lesson. No reports about any concerning activity of his has come out since then. Now, the Grizzlies can put the distractions away with hopes of restoring the team to its rightful place in the Western Conference.

Grizzlies’ season from hell

Just to put in perspective how decimated by injuries the Grizzlies were, a total of 33 players suited up for the team this past season. This set the record for most players to suit up for a single team in a single season in NBA history.

They also fielded 51 different starting lineups as they lost Ja Morant for a total of 73 games, Desmond Bane for 40, and Marcus Smart, the team’s major offseason acquisition, for 62. In a bit of a plot twist, it was Jaren Jackson Jr., a player who missed plenty of time early in his career due to injuries, who led the team in games played with 66.

The Grizzlies had no semblance of continuity, although they did unearth a few gems that should make them an even deeper team come next season. GG Jackson, their 2023 second-round pick, looked like a keeper thanks to his athleticism and penchant for scoring the basketball. Vince Williams is a do-it-all, playmaking wing who can defend at a high level. Scotty Pippen Jr. looks like a solid bench piece.

The hope now for the Grizzlies is that they avoid the injury bug in the 2024-25 season and avoid falling into off-court troubles once more.