NBA Suspends Memphis Grizzlies Star Ja Morant for Eight Games After Gun Video Incident

NBA Suspends Memphis Grizzlies Star Ja Morant for Eight Games After Gun Video Incident

Joel Reyes
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:28 PM
  • The NBA handed Ja Morant an eight-game suspension on Wednesday
  • The suspension stems from Morant’s handling of a gun at a club
  • He met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver before the announcement

The NBA has made its decision on Ja Morant.

The league announced on Wednesday that the Memphis Grizzlies star has been suspended eight games without pay for conduct detrimental to the NBA.

The ban covers the six games he has already missed, including Wednesday’s contest against the Miami Heat.

Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA
Ja Morant. Images: Justin Ford/ Tyler Kaufman
Source: Getty Images

Morant is eligible to play against the Mavericks this coming Monday, the same day he can join Memphis again in a team environment.

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The 23-year-old won't see action in that game against Dallas, however, as he still needs more time to make physical preparations for his NBA return.

With the long eight-game suspension, Morant will forfeit $668,659 in salary, per Associated Press.

Silver talks to Morant

On Wednesday, he met with Silver in New York to discuss his controversial firearm handling earlier this month.

The NBA commissioner issued a statement regarding the meeting, saying that Morant's "conduct was irresponsible, reckless, and potentially very dangerous."

He added that it also has serious consequences given the Grizzlies star's "enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him.”

NBA concludes gun wasn't Morant's

The NBA investigated the matter, with the league concluding that the gun at issue did not belong to Morant. The investigation also did not find the Grizzlies guard possessing the firearm while traveling with the team or in any NBA facility.

Authorities from Colorado also did not find sufficient cause to charge a crime against Morant.

He is doing his part to rebuild his tarnished image, with Morant doing an interview with Jalen Rose to explain his side of the story.

Morant goes into counseling

Sports Brief recently reported on Morant entering a counseling program.

The Memphis Grizzlies star was seen holding a gun in an Instagram Live video on March 4.

The 23-year-old apologized and vowed to take responsibility for his actions.

Authors
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Joel Reyes
Joel Reyes is a sports editor at Sportsbrief.com with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines. He has eight years of work experience in sports writing.
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