During Game Five of the Western Conference playoffs at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 26, 2023, Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies confidently brings the ball upcourt against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Image Credit: Justin Ford | Getty Images
In a significant decision, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has handed a 25-game suspension to Ja Morant, the star player of the Memphis Grizzlies, for the second time, after he brandished a gun on a live video. The suspension will take effect at the start of the upcoming season. Along with missing games, Morant will have to fulfill unspecified “conditions” before being allowed to return to the court. He will also be barred from participating in team or league activities, as well as preseason games.
The incident involving Morant is not the first of its kind. The 23-year-old NBA All-Star had previously waved a gun during a livestream from a night club in March, resulting in an eight-game suspension. His recent actions, where he displayed a firearm in a car with friends during another video stream last month, have raised serious concerns.
Expressing his concern over the repeated misconduct, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated, “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 further added that basketball should take a back seat at this time and Morant will be required to formulate and fulfill a program that directly addresses the circumstances behind his repeated destructive behavior, before returning to play.
In response to the incident, Morant issued an apology and vowed to improve, particularly focusing on his mental health during the offseason. He hopes to prove himself as a better person in the future, seeking a chance to regain trust and demonstrate personal growth.
Morant has endorsements from various brands, including Nike. Speaking on behalf of the athletic apparel giant, it was mentioned that they are pleased with Morant’s accountability and his focus on well-being. They affirmed their continued support for him both on and off the court. However, Coca-Cola’s Powerade, another brand endorsing Morant, has taken a different approach, pulling an ad featuring the NBA star and erasing him from their social media platforms.
— CNBC’s Jessica Golden contributed to this report
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