- Morant displayed a pistol in a viral video, resulting in a 25-game suspension
- He was previously seen brandishing a gun at a strip club and was suspended for eight games
- READ MORE: Morant's suspension may have cost the Grizzlies their season
Ja Morant can expect to speak with Adam Silver in the coming days as he prepares to return from his 25-game suspension for displaying a handgun in a viral video.
The NBA commissioner said in his speech to reporters at the league's first tournament of the season in Las Vegas that he would personally contact the Memphis Grizzlies guard next week.
“Yes, I have been monitoring the situation and him closely,” Silver said Saturday. “In fact, we're planning on checking in straight away this week, Yes and I.”
“But the people in the league office, along with Ja and his team and the Players Association, were in regular contact essentially on a weekly basis. “There were these checkpoints.
Silver emphasized that Morant has lived up to expectations during his suspension.
“We have worked together on a program for him over the last few weeks and as far as I know he has followed everything that was asked of him,” Silver said. “As I said, we will talk at least once this week before he comes back and we will review the program and make sure the conditions are in place for him to be successful in the future.”
Ja Morant can expect to speak to Adam Silver (pictured) in the coming days
Morant (pictured), an NBA All-Star, will return after his second suspension for shooting
The earliest Morant could play is Dec. 19, when the Grizzlies visit New Orleans. This game is the second half of a back-to-back and it is not clear how quickly the Grizzlies will add their franchise player back to the lineup.
Morant was suspended for 25 games after he was seen displaying a handgun in a video posted online. The video of Morant displaying a gun while sitting in the passenger seat of a car was released after he served an eight-game suspension in March for another video of him holding a handgun at a Denver-area strip club showcased.
Morant apologized in both cases.
Silver said Morant “complied with everything he was asked to do” under the return-to-play program established by the league when it imposed the 25-game suspension.
Meanwhile, Morant is accused of attacking a teenager during a basketball game at the NBA star's home in July 2022.
Morant's second shooting incident (pictured) resulted in a 25-game suspension for the All-Star
In November, a judge ruled that Morant's lawyers could argue that he acted in self-defense as part of a lawsuit accusing him of attacking a teenager.
District Court Judge Carol Chumney has scheduled the hearing for Monday, where attorneys for Morant and 18-year-old Joshua Holloway will discuss whether Morant is immune from liability under Tennessee law because he killed Holloway during a game at the All-Star home in the Memphis area in July 2022.
Morant's lawyers have admitted that he hit Holloway once after Holloway threw a basketball at Morant and the ball hit Morant in the chin. In a July 26 motion, the player's lawyers said he should be spared liability under the state's “Stand Your Ground” law, which allows people who feel threatened in their homes to resort to violence in certain situations to proceed.
The law is used in criminal cases, but Chumney's ruling clears the way for Morant's lawyers to use it in the civil case and try to get the lawsuit dismissed.
Morant's accuser was 17 when the lawsuit was filed. It accuses Morant and his friend, Davonte Pack, with assault, reckless endangerment, abuse or neglect and infliction of emotional distress. An amended statement of claim identified Holloway as the plaintiff.
Morant filed a countersuit accusing Holloway of defamation, assault and battery. No criminal charges were filed against Morant. Pack has been charged with assault and has a hearing scheduled for Nov. 21 in state criminal court.
The lawsuit has led to complicated legal battles, including disagreements over whether the state's “Stand Your Ground” law can be used to support Morant.
The Grizzlies are currently 6-15 and in 13th place in the Western Conference.