Is Ja Morant playing tonight against the Warriors? Latest update on the Grizzlies star ahead of matchup (18th March 2023)

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies has been away from the team since he showed off a gun on Instagram live earlier this month. The NBA subsequently suspended Morant for eight games without pay due to actions detrimental to the league.

With the Memphis Grizzlies welcoming their rivals the Golden State Warriors to the FedEx Forum on Friday night, is Morant available to play?

No, Morant remains out of the lineup since he's still serving his suspension. The league counted his initial two-game suspension by the team as part of his final punishment. He's eligible to return for the Grizzlies' next game on Monday against the Dallas Mavericks.

After his suspension was announced, Ja Morant made his first public appearance in an interview with ESPN's Jalen Rose. Morant said that he underwent therapy on how to deal with stress, and now feels great mentally and physically for the first time in years.

"I feel mentally good that I haven't been in many years," Morant said. "I'm in a space where I'm very comfortable. I was constantly talking to therapists. I've been doing Reiki treatment. I've been doing anxiety breathing, different stuff to help me manage that and release all that stuff from my body."

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Taylor Jenkins reveals plans for Ja Morant's return

Ja Morant and Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant is eligible to return to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday against the Dallas Mavericks after serving an eight-game suspension. However, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters on Wednesday that he's not expecting Morant to play on Monday.

"We understand what's happened through the investigation," Jenkins said. "Now, all we're focused on is that we now know the plan. Ja will return to the team, first opportunity will be back practicing with the team on Monday. There will be a quick ramp-up period after that.

"Obviously he hasn't been playing basketball for almost two weeks now. So that'll be our focus and hopefully get him back on the court pretty quickly."

The Grizzlies (42-27) have been relatively fine during Morant's absence. They are 4-3 since that night in Colorado and maintain their place in the Western Conference standings in third.

Memphis will need to secure homecourt advantage for at least the first round of the playoffs. Morant's return will only increase their chances of finishing above the Sacramento Kings (42-27) or even the Denver Nuggets (47-23) before the end of the regular season.