The NBA suspended Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant for eight games without pay for league-damaging behavior, the basketball pro league said in a statement Wednesday. The disciplinary action comes in response to the Grizzlies star’s live video broadcast on the social network Instagram March 4, in which he appeared drunk with a firearm while visiting Shotgun Willies nightclub in Glendale, just outside Denver, Colorado . It was after five in the morning.
Morant, 23 years old and having had a meteoric career, will be eligible to return to the team’s game against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, March 20 as the eight-game suspension includes the six suspensions his own team inflicted on him and the USA had imposed which is already five years old. The escort hasn’t played since March 3, the day before the video was released.
“Ja’s behavior was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “It also has serious implications given his large following and influence, particularly among the young fans who look up to him. He has expressed sincere regret and remorse for his behavior. Ja also made it clear to me that he learned from that incident and that he understands that his obligations and responsibilities to the Memphis Grizzlies and the NBA community at large extend well beyond his playing on the court.”
The league office has conducted an investigation into the March 4 incident. Based on information obtained during the investigation, the NBA has not concluded that the gun in question belonged to Morant, was brought into the nightclub by him, or was on display by Morant for more than a brief period of time, according to the statement released this Wednesday. The investigation also did not find that Morant possessed the gun while traveling with the team or at an NBA facility, and Colorado authorities did not find sufficient grounds to charge Morant with a felony.
A meeting was held this Wednesday at the NBA offices in New York between NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, other league managers and Morant himself to discuss the player’s conduct, after which the final sanction was announced.
The Grizzlies initially said their star would miss at least two games. Hours later, in a statement circulated through the agency that represents him, the player said he “takes full responsibility” for his actions and will “take some time to seek help”. Sports broadcaster ESPN reported that Morant sought advice from a center in Florida.
The Grizzlies later announced the player would miss at least four more games, including Wednesday’s game, but now the Grizzlies star’s suspension has been extended to eight games. The player is averaging 27.1 points and 8.2 assists per game this season and is instrumental in keeping the Grizzlies second in the Western Conference, behind only the Denver Nuggets.
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