Ja Morant is adamantly denying he has a ingesting downside after the NBA concluded he was intoxicated when he flashed a gun on Instagram earlier this month … telling reporters alcohol was NOT the explanation he entered a counseling program.

Morant spoke publicly for the primary time since rejoining the Grizzlies this week — and the Memphis famous person was requested if alcohol performed a task in his decision-making that in the end led to his eight-game suspension.

“By no means had an alcohol downside,” Morant mentioned. “I did not go there for alcohol. I went there for counseling. To discover ways to handle stress and address stress in a optimistic method, as a substitute of how how I attempted to cope with it earlier than that precipitated me to make errors.”

“[The] solely downside with me proper now could be simply moving into an area mentally that I am very comfy in and I really feel good at. That is why I made the choice to take time away and go to counseling. That helped me be taught loads of issues.”

Ja mentioned he contemplated stepping away from the NBA earlier than he was engulfed in drama … admitting he was afraid to depart the workforce. However the two-time All-Star says he is glad he made the choice to deal with his psychological well being.

Morant — who was on the bench for Memphis on Monday, however did not play within the sport towards the Mavs — mentioned now that he is again round his teammates, he is centered on bettering himself and dealing towards getting again on the market on the courtroom.