ANOTHER TIME OUT: Ja Morant Suspended For 25 Games Following 2nd Gun Incident

In a major announcement, the NBA revealed that Memphis Grizzlies player Ja Morant has been handed a 25-game suspension for the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season. The decision comes after the NBA star's most recent offense, involving the public display of a firearm on social media, raised serious concerns. Details inside…

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has sent shockwaves through the basketball world with his recent suspension. The talented player has reportedly been banned from the first 25 games of the upcoming season by the NBA.

The reason?

He was caught flashing a handgun in a social media video for the second time, a move that has serious consequences. The Grizzlies had previously suspended him indefinitely from team activities in anticipation of the NBA's decision. His suspension is among the longest the NBA has handed out for behavior on or off the court.

In May, the 23-year-old NBA star was seen in a video, sitting in the passenger seat of a car, brandishing a gun, during a livestream on Instagram. This incident occurred after he had already served an eight-game suspension for a similar video back in March, where he flashed a handgun in a strip club.

Apart from the suspension, Ja’s pockets will get hit substantially. With a salary of around $33.5 million this season, he stands to lose over $300,000 per game during his suspension, amounting to a staggering $7.5 million. In addition, Ja will need to fulfill certain conditions before being reinstated, as stated by the NBA.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed his concern over Ja’s behavior, particularly considering his influence as a role model to young people. Silver emphasized the league's stance against reckless and irresponsible gun-related behavior, stating that a 25-game suspension is appropriate to send a clear message.

“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,” Adam 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 Grizzlies organization also released a statement, respecting the league's decision and emphasizing their adherence to high standards.

Ja Morant himself issued an apology to the league, his team, his teammates, and the city of Memphis. He expressed remorse for his actions and vowed to make amends, promising to be a better representation of his sponsors and to make it up to his fans.

Ja Morant statement: pic.twitter.com/KJCxTVEIRj

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 16, 2023

"I've had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I've caused," Ja said in a statement. "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 my sponsors, I'm going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all 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."

NIKE released a statement regarding Ja, stating they will continue supporting the troubled NBA star, whose first signature shoe was released in December:

Nike will not cut ties with Ja Morant

“We are pleased that Ja is taking accountability and prioritizing his well-being. We will continue to support him on and off the court.”

(h/t @ramonashelburne ) pic.twitter.com/yHQ2Wj2dpk

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 16, 2023

“We are pleased that Ja is taking accountability and prioritizing his well-being. We will continue to support him on and off the court.”

The NBA is becoming increasingly alarmed by his conduct, particularly given the challenging year he has experienced mentally.

Late in May, police conducted a wellness check on Ja after he posted a series of Instagram captions featuring pictures of his loved ones. The captions included messages such as "Love ya ma," "Love ya pops," "You da greatest babygirl love ya," and a simple "Bye." Later, Ja assured the police that he was fine and merely taking a break from social media.

While no criminal charges have been brought against Morant, the NBA is closely monitoring the situation and expressing growing concerns about his well-being and behavior.

The suspension will undoubtedly have significant consequences for Ja’s career. He is likely to miss out on end-of-season awards, such as MVP and All-NBA, and may even be excluded from the league's inaugural in-season tournament. It's clear that basketball will have to take a back seat for the time being as Ja focuses on addressing the circumstances that led to his repeated behavior.

The NBA's decision serves as a reminder that actions have consequences, especially when they involve firearms, and underscores the league's commitment to promoting responsible behavior among its players. What are your thoughts on Ja Morant's suspension and the NBA's response to his behavior?

Photos: AP Photo/Brandon Dill, File