Global Courant 2023-05-14 20:55:00
Yes Morant was suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday after appearing to be holding a gun in another social media video streamed live on Instagram.
It is the second time in less than three months that Morant has been seen on Instagram with what appears to be a weapon. The first led to an eight-game NBA suspension that was handed down in March and cost Morant about $669,000 in salary.
It is unclear what sanctions Morant faces for the second video, which was widely shared online on Sunday. A Morant employee went live on Instagram as the All-Star sat in the front seat of a vehicle with another person, who appeared to briefly display a gun. It is unclear where and when the latest video was shot.
“We are aware of the social media post involving Ja Morant and are in the process of gathering more information,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said.
The Grizzlies said Morant has been suspended from all team activities, “pending a review of the league.”
The gun video earlier this season took place when Morant went live on his own Instagram in early March with a gun at a club in the Denver suburbs. After that went viral, Morant announced he was taking his time seeking help, without specifying what kind of treatment he was receiving. ESPN later reported that he was receiving counseling in Florida, something the team eventually confirmed but did not share any further details.
“Ja’s behavior was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement in March after meeting with Morant and deciding the length of the suspension. “It also has dire consequences given his huge following and influence, especially among young fans who look up to him.”
Morant sat down for an interview with ESPN during his suspension, taking responsibility for the Colorado video.
“I do not condone violence of any kind,” Morant told ESPN. “But I take full responsibility for my actions. I made a big mistake and I can see the picture I painted about myself with my recent mistakes. But in the future I’m going to show everyone who Yes really is, what I ‘m over and change this story.”
This will be at least the third known NBA investigation into Morant and possible firearms possession so far in 2023.
Morant’s actions were investigated after a January 29 incident in Memphis that he said resulted in a friend of his being banned from playing home games for a year.
That incident followed a game against the Indiana Pacers; citing unnamed sources, The Indianapolis Star and USA Today reported that multiple members of the Pacers saw a red dot pointing at them, and The Athletic reported that a Pacers security guard thought the laser was attached to a gun.
The NBA confirmed that unnamed individuals were banned from the arena, but said the investigation found no evidence that anyone was threatened with a weapon.
Then came the incident in the Denver area in the early hours of March 4, after the Grizzlies played a road game against the Nuggets. At 5:19 AM, Morant started a live stream from a strip club called Shotgun Willies in Glendale, Colorado. The video quickly went viral, but no charges were filed.
Glendale Police said it had reviewed the video and found no evidence that a crime had been committed. Glendale is an enclave surrounded by the city of Denver.
Morant and a close friend are also involved in a civil lawsuit filed after an incident at Morant’s home last summer in which a 17-year-old claimed they assaulted him.
