Another suspension has been issued for Ja Morant after he was caught on Instagram Live showing off a firearm — this time while riding in a car instead of a club. The Memphis Grizzlies decided to suspend him from “all team activities” as the NBA reviews the matter.
“We are aware of the social media video involving Ja Morant,” the Grizzlies said in a statement. “He is suspended from all team activities pending League review. We have no further comment at this time.”
An NBA spokesperson announced that the league is currently undergoing “the process of gathering more information.”
“We are aware of the social media post involving Ja Morant and are in the process of gathering more information,” NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said in a statement.
After a video surfaced of their All-Star guard holding a gun while sitting in the driver’s seat of a car that wasn’t moving, the Memphis Grizzlies announced on Sunday morning that he has been “suspended from all team activities pending League review.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ja Morant & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Morant was filmed listening to music with friends in his car in an Instagram Live broadcast on Sunday morning. When Morant appears again, he has a gun in his hands, which he’s waving around. He is quickly removed from the camera, and when he returns, the gun is no longer in his hand.
Morant was suspended for eight games after the NBA All-Star Break following an incident in which he was filmed with a firearm in a club in Denver after the Grizzlies played a road game against the Nuggets. After the first incident, Morant attended a counseling program in Florida but later met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver before returning to game action.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ja Morant & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
What makes Morant’s latest incident worse is the attempt to rectify his image after the initial situation. He acknowledged that he has many children that look up to him — requiring him to be “responsible, be smarter, and make better decisions.”
Morant did acknowledge that just because he spent two weeks away from his day job “doesn’t mean I’m completely better.” He described it as an “ongoing process” even after returning to the Grizzlies.
“Obviously, took that time to better myself, get in a better space mentally,” Morant told media at his exit interview. “It’s an ongoing process, a continued process for me. Obviously, I’ve been there for two weeks, but that doesn’t mean I’m completely better. So that’s an ongoing process for me that I’ve still been continuing since I’ve come out.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ja Morant & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
There was an acknowledgment from Morant that his off-the-court decision-making damaged the Grizzlies’ season, who were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers in disappointing fashion. He admitted to needing more discipline.
“I’ve just got to be better with my decision-making. That’s pretty much it. Off-the-court issues affected us as an organization pretty much. Just [need] more discipline.”
Morant’s poor decision-making severely impacted his outlook for an All-NBA nod. He went from being strongly considered for one of the top All-NBA teams to being entirely left off, costing him $39.9 million due to not qualifying for the supermax contract extension. He averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists in 61 games played during the regular season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ja Morant & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
With how prominently the NBA has over-featured Morant in recent years, a motivation to make him the heir apparent to Stephen Curry as the face of the league was apparent. He had led the league’s social media presence in impressions on official league accounts and was by far the most posted-about player. Now, he’s become a liability to the bottom line. How will they handle it?
Grant Afseth is an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network and a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
