Ja Morant Hit With 25 Game Suspension for Flashing Firearm

• Ja Morant will miss the first 25 games in the 2023/24 season after the NBA suspended him for flashing a gun on an Instagram Live
• Morant has also served an 8-game suspension for brandishing a gun at a Denver club
• The Memphis Grizzlies star led his team to the playoffs but lost in the first round to the Los Angeles Lakers

The NBA has suspended Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant for 25 games in the 2023/24 season for brandishing a gun on Instagram Live in May.

This is the second time the league has suspended Morant. In the first video, the NBA suspended the All-Star for eight games for flashing a gun in an Instagram live video taken at a Denver-area nightclub.

In May, the new video appeared to show the Grizzlies star and a friend listening to music in a car. When the camera panned toward Morant for a few seconds, he was holding a gun close to his head before the camera turned away.

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Morant's actions, coupled with Dillon Brooks' controversial comments, seemed to affect the team's playoff chances. They lost in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers despite entering the postseason as the No. 2 seed, per Washington Post.

What the NBA said

In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Morant's actions were "alarming." He has been involved in other incidents which prompted thorough investigations from the league.

“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,” Silver said. “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 23-year-old sent an apology shortly after the NBA suspended him, per Bleacher Report.

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“I’m sorry for the harm I’ve done,” Morant said. “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...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.”

Despite all his off-court troubles, Morant had another phenomenal season, averaging 26.2 points and 8.1 assists per game this past season,

Morant evaluates Grizzlies' season

Sports Brief earlier reported on Morant blaming his off-court issues for his team's underwhelming performances in the playoffs.

Morant said they need more discipline and focus.

"Off the court, making better decisions. On the court, being locked in even more. Being a leader of this team, it pretty much starts with me."