Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has been hit with a 25-game ban by the NBA after an investigation into a video in which he appeared to flash a gun.
The 23-year-old seemed to be holding a gun whilst listening to music in an Instagram Live video filmed in a car in May. It was similar to a previous incident for which he received a suspension back in March.
The first incident saw Morant miss eight games, but he is set for a much harsher punishment for the second incident, which saw him once again been suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies as an investigation took place.
The league has now decided its punishment and Morant will need to meet certain conditions set by the NBA before he will be able to return from his suspension. He will also be ineligible to participate in any league or team activities.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver reiterated during the NBA Finals that a decision would not be made until after the series was complete. They have now released a statement confirming the course of action that has been taken.
It read: "The NBA announced today that Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been suspended 25 games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league.
"Morant posed with a firearm in a car during a live-streamed video on May 13, less than two months after he was suspended eight games without pay for the live streaming of a video on March 4 in which he displayed a firearm while in an intoxicated state at a Denver area nightclub.
"The league office found that., on May 13, Morant intentionally and prominently displayed a gun while in a car with several other individuals as they were leaving a social gathering in Memphis. Morant wielded the firearm while knowing that he was being recorded and that the recording was being live streamed on Instagram Live, despite having made commitments to the NBA and public statements that he would not repeat the conduct for which he was previously disciplined. On May 16, Morant issued a statement taking full accountability for his actions.
"Morant's suspension begins immediately and will remain in effect through the first 25 games of the 2023-24 NBA regular season for which he is otherwise eligible and able to play. He will also be required to meet certain conditions before he returns to play and will be ineligible to participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games, during the course of his suspension."
Morant was suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies after the video emerged, although he missed no games because their season was already over. Morant led the Grizzlies in both points (26.2) and assists (8.2) per game last season and the team went 11-10 when he was missing.
Morant said in a statement: "I've had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I've caused. 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 of my sponsors, I'm going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all of 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."
NBA commissioner Silver branded Morant's behaviour "alarming and disconcerting" and stated he needed to take a step away from basketball for the time being.
Silver said: "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.
"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 behaviour with guns will not be tolerated.
"For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time. Prior to his return to play, he will be required to formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behaviour."
