Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant could be headed for a “significant suspension,” according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
Morant was caught flashing a gun on an IG Live video in May for a second time. The first incident happened in March and the All-Star was suspended for eight games.
“This is a situation that is wide-ranging,” Windhorst said on Get Up. “And quite frankly, the indication here is that this is gonna be a significant suspension.”
Prior to Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets, commissioner Adam Silver told reporters in Denver that he would wait to announce Morant’s suspension since he didn’t want to cause a distraction during the Finals.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ja Morant & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
“We’ve uncovered a fair amount of additional information I think since I was first asked about the situation,” Silver said. “I will say we probably could have brought it to a head now, but we made the decision, and I believe the players association agrees with us, that it would be unfair to these players and these teams in the middle of the series to announce the results of that investigation.
“Given that we’re of course in the offseason, he has now been suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies indefinitely, so nothing would have changed anyway in the next few weeks. It seemed better to park that at the moment, at least any public announcement, and my sense now is that shortly after the conclusion of the Finals we will announce the outcome of that investigation.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ja Morant & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
Morant signed a five-year, $194.3 million designated rookie contract extension with Memphis in July 2022. He averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 8.1 assists this season while shooting 46.6% from the field, 30.7% from beyond the arc and 74.8% from the free-throw line.
The Grizzlies lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in six games. Morant has been suspended from all offseason activities.
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