Grizzlies guard Ja Morant expressed regret Friday over Memphis' 6-17 start to the season in his first public remarks since being handed a 25-game suspension after posting a video on Instagram live in May showing him waving a firearm.
Morant is only two games away from returning to the court. And as he spoke with reporters Friday, he detailed just what he's felt while being away from the team.
"There's definitely some guilt in that, obviously, I'm not on the floor," Morant said. "I take full responsibility for that, even though I'm not out on the floor. The decisions I made didn't allow me to be out there to go to battle with my teammates."
MORE: When will Ja Morant return from suspension?
Morant outlined some of the challenges he has had in the months after the announcement of his suspension. The penalty came after Morant was suspended eight games after another video surfaced in March showing him waving a gun in a similar manner.
"It was definitely tough," Morant said. "Some horrible days. It was tough. But like I said to start this, with the support that I've had throughout this process, it definitely helped me a lot. It's pretty much all I could lean on at times."
Support was a constant theme throughout Morant's treatment and recovery. His circle printed shirts with terms like "accountability" and "rebirth" on them throughout the offseason, each designed with the goal of motivating the slick ball-handler.
It was one of numerous gestures taken on by Morant's inner circle, each designed to get Memphis' midnight marauder up to speed on and off the floor.
Morant was open about the work he has pursued off the floor, saying that therapy offered him a life-changing reprieve as he attempts to better his mindset going forward.
“It’s still a process,” he said. “I’m not done learning myself, but I definitely understand why the things that happened happened.”
Morant spoke with commissioner Adam Silver before his talk to the media. In their conversation, Morant said that Silver offered yet another outlet for Morant to express his feelings. He said he was more than grateful for Silver's generosity.
“He was just checking on me, seeing how I was doing, how the process was going," Morant said.
Morant is eligible to suit up again for the Grizzlies on Tuesday, Dec. 19, against the Pelicans (7:30 p.m. ET on TNT). And although it will be his first game back, Morant is hoping to put on a show.
"I can't go away from being Ja," Morant said. "The change will be in my decision-making and how I go about my daily life being an NBA player, a father, a role model, a brother, a son and just focusing in on that."
