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NBA Hands Ja Morant a 25-Game Suspension Due to Second Incident with Gun on Social Media

by Joshua Brown
5 comments
Ja Morant Suspension

Following his second infraction in a span of four months, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver declared on Friday that superstar Ja Morant must abandon his disconcerting habit of brandishing guns on social media platforms.

The punishment was issued a month following the broadcast of a second video where Morant can be seen exhibiting a handgun. The clip depicts Morant brandishing a firearm while in the passenger seat of a vehicle, surfacing after his eight-game suspension in March due to a similar incident at a Denver-area strip club.

Slated to earn approximately $33.5 million this season, Morant’s suspension will cost him just over $300,000 per game – amounting to a total loss of around $7.5 million. The NBA also clarified that Morant will have to fulfill certain requirements before being reinstated.

Adam Silver expressed concern over Morant’s choices, emphasizing the potential for impressionable young fans to mimic his behavior. The Commissioner endorsed the 25-game suspension as an appropriate response, reinforcing that the NBA will not tolerate careless and irresponsible behavior with firearms.

Noteworthy updates from the NBA include the promotion of Mike Dunleavy Jr. to the General Manager of Warriors, replacing Bob Myers. In light of Morant’s suspension, ongoing discussions about the country’s views on firearms persist. Other news includes Michael Jordan selling the majority ownership stake in the Charlotte Hornets, and Morant joining a list of other suspended NBA players such as Artest, Arenas, and Sprewell.

The NBA has declared Morant ineligible for all public league or team activities, including preseason games, during his suspension. The Grizzlies announced their support for the punishment following the emergence of the second video, advocating adherence to clear league and team standards.

In a statement relayed through his representatives, Morant apologized to the NBA, his team, his teammates, and the city of Memphis. He conveyed regret to Silver, Grizzlies owner Robert Pera, and General Manager Zach Kleiman. He further addressed his young fans, expressing his remorse for failing as a role model, and vowing to improve himself.

Ja Morant, who boasts his own signature line of Nike shoes, affirmed his commitment to work on his mental health and decision-making. Following cryptic messages on his Instagram account, Morant was found to be “fine” after a police welfare check on May 24.

However, NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio criticized the severity of Morant’s punishment, labeling it as “excessive and inappropriate,” and inconsistent with the league’s previous disciplinary actions. Nike pledged its continued support for Morant, praising his willingness to accept responsibility and prioritize his wellbeing.

Despite Morant not facing any criminal charges, Commissioner Silver highlighted the grave implications of his actions, particularly amid the nation’s gun violence crisis. Silver warned against the negative influence on Morant’s millions of followers, especially given the incidents were live-streamed.

Morant’s suspension will likely disqualify him from end-of-season honors in 2024, including MVP and All-NBA, as the new Collective Bargaining Agreement mandates that a player must appear in 65 games (with some exceptions) to be eligible. Morant may also miss the upcoming inaugural in-season tournament, yet to be confirmed by the NBA.

Silver emphasized that basketball should take a backseat for Morant, who must complete a league program to address the issues that led to his repeat offenses. Morant’s first eight-game suspension cost him roughly $669,000 after the initial video surfaced on his Instagram account on March 4.

A friend of Morant’s shared the second video online on May 13, the same individual previously banned from the Grizzlies’ home arena for a year due to a conflict with members of the Indiana Pacers organization.

Contributions for this story were made by AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds.

For more NBA updates, visit: https://bigbignews.net/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ja Morant Suspension

What is the reason for Ja Morant’s 25-game suspension?

Ja Morant has been suspended for 25 games by the NBA due to his conduct on social media where he was found displaying a gun in two separate incidents.

Who announced the suspension for Ja Morant?

The NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, announced the suspension, stressing the importance of responsible behavior, particularly given Morant’s influence on young fans.

What were the incidents that led to Morant’s suspension?

Morant was suspended after two separate incidents where he flashed a handgun on social media – the first time in a Denver-area strip club and the second while sitting in a car.

How much money stands Ja Morant to lose due to the suspension?

Ja Morant, who was set to earn around $33.5 million this season, will lose just over $300,000 per game, resulting in a total loss of around $7.5 million due to the suspension.

What are the conditions for Morant’s reinstatement to the NBA?

The NBA has stated that Morant will need to fulfill certain requirements before being reinstated. Though specific conditions aren’t mentioned, it is suggested he needs to address issues that led to his reckless behavior.

What was the response from Morant and the players association to the suspension?

Morant issued an apology to the league, his team, teammates, and fans. He pledged to improve his behavior. However, the NBPA executive director, Tamika Tremaglio, criticized the punishment as “excessive and inappropriate.”

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5 comments

AllStar2023 June 17, 2023 - 12:11 am

come on ja! u were a role model for so many out there, why’d you let us down 🙁

Reply
GrizzNation June 17, 2023 - 1:14 am

Disappointing to see this from a player on our team. Hope Ja learns from this and comes back better.

Reply
HoopsFan101 June 17, 2023 - 7:25 pm

Wow, 25 games is a lot… Can’t believe Ja would do this. Doesn’t he know kids are watching him?

Reply
NBAWatcher June 17, 2023 - 7:26 pm

So 25 games, thats millions out of his pocket… bet he’s regretting those vids now. Safety first, always.

Reply
BasketballGuru June 17, 2023 - 9:26 pm

Morant needs to take this suspension seriously. he’s a major player in the league – has to set a better example.

Reply

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