The NBA announced on Friday that Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has been suspended for the first 25 games of the 2023–2024 season due to conduct that is detrimental to the league.
Following the circulation of a video on social media showing the All-Star holding a handgun, the Grizzlies suspended Morant from team activities on May 14 while the league conducted an investigation. Following a similar incident in March, in which Morant was shown on Instagram Live clutching a firearm while intoxicated at a bar outside Denver, the NBA had suspended him for eight games.
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The league stated that the suspension will have conditions for his reinstatement. Throughout the suspension, Morant won’t be permitted to take part in any open league or team events, including preseason games.
Although the NBA’s investigation into the event was finished weeks ago, Silver waited to announce the punishment until the NBA Finals were over because he did not want to jeopardize the league’s championship series.
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“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.
“For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time. 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.”
The Instagram Live video that surfaced in May was posted by Davonte Pack, who is close friends with Morant and was engaged in several of the off-court incidents that led to the league office opening an inquiry.
After an investigation into a post-game altercation with the Indiana Pacers’ traveling party on Jan. 29, when a red laser was allegedly aimed out of an SUV in which Morant was traveling, Pack was prohibited from going to Grizzlies home games for a year.
