The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that Memphis Grizzlies player Ja Morant would serve an eight-game suspension without pay for behavior deemed detrimental to the league. The disciplinary action was taken due to Morant’s live broadcast of a video on March 4. He can be seen clutching a pistol while under the influence of alcohol at a nightclub in the Denver region. On March 20, the club will play the Dallas Mavericks, and Morant can participate in the game as a returnee.
Morant and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver discussed Morant’s behavior today at the headquarters of the NBA in New York City. The meeting was held to examine Morant’s behavior. The conference was attended by many important people, including Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations for the NBA, and Tamika Tremaglio, Executive Director of the NBPA.
The league office carried out an inquiry into the event that occurred on March 4. The league concluded that Morant did not own the pistol in question, did not bring it into the nightclub with him, and only exhibited it for a short time. This was based on the information that was acquired throughout the investigation. The Colorado authorities did not charge Morant with a crime because the investigation did not uncover evidence that he possessed the gun while traveling with the team or in any NBA facility. In addition, the investigation did not reveal evidence that Morant had the weapon while he was a member of the NBA.
Silver said Ja’s behavior was irresponsible and reckless and posed a significant risk to themselves and others. “It also has major repercussions given his great following and influence, especially among young fans who look up to him,” she said. “It has serious ramifications given his enormous following and influence.” He has apologized and shown genuine repentance and regret for his actions in the past. In addition, Alexander has made it quite plain to me that he has taken the lessons he learned from this event to heart and is aware that his duties and responsibilities to the Memphis Grizzlies and the wider NBA community go well beyond his performance on the court.
