In March, Ja Morant served a suspension for brandishing a firearm. In May, he was seen holding a gun once again, and suspended once again.
In an Instagram Live video that surfaced on May 13, the Grizzlies star is briefly seen in a car with others while brandishing a weapon and rapping along to a song playing in the background.
Morant's appearance in the video led to a suspension from the Grizzlies.
(Editor's note: The following video contains NSFW language.)
Grizzlies star Ja Morant was allegedly seen holding a gun on an IG Live yesterday.pic.twitter.com/bqvwbwgd9m
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 14, 2023
Both the Grizzlies and the NBA released statements on Morant's appearance in the video, with Memphis announcing they are suspending Morant from all team activities while the NBA continues to gather information on the video.
Memphis Grizzlies say star Ja Morant is suspended from all team activities pending league review after he allegedly flashed a gun during an IG Live session over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/m8LNYiqRtm
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 14, 2023
"We are aware of the social media video involving Ja Morant. He is suspended from all team activities pending League review. We have no further comment at this time," the Grizzlies said in a statement.
NBA spokesperson Mike Bass: “We are aware of the social media post involving Ja Morant and are in the process of gathering more information.”
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 14, 2023
"We are aware of the social media post involving Ja Morant and are in the process of gathering more information," NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said (via ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski).
Wojnarowski reports that Morant faces a "significant suspension" to start the 2023-24 NBA season, with commissioner Adam Silver having "wide-ranging latitude" surrounding matters of conduct detrimental to the league.
.@wojespn provides the latest on Ja Morant and his suspension: pic.twitter.com/Dw1fVFn9vn
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 14, 2023
Two days after the video surfaced, Silver appeared on NBA Countdown, where he expressed shock in what transpired and added that there is an ongoing investigation process.
“Honestly, I was shocked when I saw this weekend — that video. Now, we’re in the process of investigating it."
— ESPN (@espn) May 16, 2023
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke on Ja Morant after his latest video. pic.twitter.com/W0lX4E2fa4
Morant released a statement through Wojnarowski, in which he said he is "committed to continuing to work on myself."
Ja Morant statement: “I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me. This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself.”
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 17, 2023
It's unclear where the video took place, or if Morant was the legal owner of the weapon, both of which would take legal gun laws into account and potentially affect the NBA's ruling.
In March, the NBA suspended Morant eight games for conduct detrimental to the league, after Morant streamed himself holding a firearm in a Denver-area nightclub. Morant was also investigated after a red laser was trained on members of the Pacers following a contentious matchup Memphis-Indiana matchup.
Memphis is currently in their offseason after their elimination at the hands of the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. Morant averaged over 26 points per game in the series.
This story will be updated.
