NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday he plans to meet with Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant next week as the star point guard prepares to return from his 25-game suspension.
Silver spoke at a press conference in Las Vegas before the final of the In-Season Tournament final between the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers.
‘I have been monitoring the situation closely, and him,’ Silver said. ‘In fact, we intend to have a check in this week directly, Ja and I. But folks in the league office together with Ja and his team and the players association, have been in regular contact, essentially weekly.’
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Silver said when the suspension was imposed that Morant would have to clear certain benchmarks in order to return. There were specifics given on what those benchmarks were and are, but Morant appears to be on track to return soon.
‘There have been those checkpoints,’ Silver said. ‘We, together, laid out a program for him over the last several weeks, and to the best of my knowledge he’s complied with everything he’s been asked to do. As I said, we’re going to talk directly once. At least this week, before he comes back I think we’ll review the program and just make sure the conditions are in place for him to be successful going forward.’
The first game he’s eligible to return in is on Dec. 19 on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said Friday he expects Morant to be ready to return for that game.
The Grizzlies (6-15) have struggled without Morant to start the season but have also dealt with a slew of injuries to key players while he’s been out.