The NBA is not mincing words about Ja Morant’s misconduct.
The leagued detailed the grounds for the Grizzlies guard’s 25-game suspension on Friday after Morant appeared to be holding a firearm on a social media live stream in May.
“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,” the NBA said in a statement.
“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.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in the statement that Morant’s decision to wield a firearm again was “alarming” and “disconcerting,” saying the idea that other young people could emulate Morant’s conduct was “particularly concerning.”
The Memphis Grizzlies guard had already been disciplined for wielding a firearm on a live stream; Morant was suspended eight games for brandishing a gun on March 4 at Shotgun Willie’s strip club in Glendale, Colo.
Following that suspension, Morant met with Silver and “fully owned it,” the commissioner said on “The Dan Patrick Show”.
The two-time All-Star guard also attended a short counseling program in Florida before he returned to the Grizzlies.
Morant released a public apology for both suspensions, most recently apologizing to the league, teammates, and fans on Friday, asking for a “chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing you.”
Silver said in the statement that Morant will have to “formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior.
“For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time.”
