Ja Morant handed 25-game suspension by the NBA

Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant has been suspended for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 NBA season due to conduct detrimental to the league. The suspension follows a video showing him brandishing a firearm, with a previous eight-game suspension for a similar incident in March.

Memphis Grizzlies’ standout player, Ja Morant, has been handed a 25-game suspension by the NBA for engaging in conduct detrimental to the league. The announcement came on Friday, causing ripples across the basketball community.

The Grizzlies had already taken action against Morant on May 14, suspending him from team activities after a video surfaced on social media showing the All-Star in possession of a firearm.

This recent incident follows a previous incident in March when Morant was captured on Instagram Live while under the influence, brandishing a handgun at a club in the Denver area.

In response to his repeated transgressions, the NBA has decided to extend Morant’s suspension to 25 games, marking the beginning of the 2023-2024 season.

The severity of the suspension underscores the league’s commitment to maintaining a safe and responsible environment for all its players and fans alike.

“Ja Morant’s decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

“The potential for other young people to emulate Ja’s conduct is particularly concerning. Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated.”

The league has stated that the suspension will be accompanied by specific conditions for his reinstatement.

“For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time,” Silver said in the statement. “Prior to his return to play, he will be required to formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior.”

During the suspension, Morant will not be permitted to take part in any public league or team activities, including preseason games.

“I’ve had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I’ve caused,” Morant said in a statement issued Friday.

“I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis. To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman and Robert Pera — who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and have supported me — I’m sorry for the harm I’ve done. To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I’m going to be better. To all of my sponsors, I’m going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all of my fans, I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.

“I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making. I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court. I know my teammates are going to hold it down and I’m so sorry I won’t be out there with you at the beginning of the season. I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing you.”