Footage emerges of Ja Morant claiming the gun he was waving in the social media video was FAKE and actually a LIGHTER – before the NBA banned him for 25 games for a second incident with a gun
- Ja Morant was suspended for 25 games by the NBA on Friday for his pistol antics
- Now it has been claimed that a video shows Morant proving his pistol was a fake
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
The weapon Ja Morant was holding in the video that earned him a 25-game ban from the NBA was fake, according to new footage that has surfaced.
Memphis Grizzlies star Morant was outraged by video that emerged last month of him waving a gun in a car, just two months after he filmed himself holding a gun at a Denver strip club.
NOW, TMZ posted a video Morant apparently sent his family the day after the car video was released, demonstrating that the gun was actually a lighter as he uses it to light candles.
“You hold it and it all comes out,” Morant says in the clip. He is also identifiable by the tattoos on his arm.
The video was released just over 24 hours after Morant was banned for 25 games.
The gun Ja Morant was filmed waving on social media last month was fake, it has been claimed
In the video, Morant appears to show that the gun was fake and turns it into a lighter
In a statement, NBA commissioner Adam Silver condemned Morant’s actions saying they could leave an impression on young people to act the same way.
“Ja Morant’s decision to again brandish a gun on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he has already been suspended eight games,” Silver said in the statement.
“The potential for other young people to emulate Ja’s conduct is of particular concern.
“Under these circumstances, we believe a 25-game suspension is appropriate and sends a clear signal that reckless and irresponsible behavior with firearms will not be tolerated.”
“For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat right now. Before returning to play, he will need to formulate and execute a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior.
Morant released his own statement, saying, “I have had time to reflect and realize how much harm I have 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 supported me – I am sorry for the harm I have done.
“To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry I let you down as a role model. I promise I’ll get better. To all my sponsors, I will be a better representation of our brands.
In March, Morant appeared to be holding a gun in an Instagram Live video at a Denver club
“And to all my fans, I’ll 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 will also be training to be ready to go when I can be back on the pitch. I know my teammates are going to hold on and I’m so sorry not to be there with you at the start of the season.
“I hope you will give me the chance to prove to you over time that I am a better man than I have shown you.”
