Memphis Grizzlies star ha morant He has been suspended eight games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league, the NBA announced Wednesday.
The suspension covers the six games he missed, including Wednesday in Miami. Morant is eligible to play Monday against Dallas, the same day he can rejoin the Grizzlies in the team environment, although he won’t play in that night’s game as he needs to take extra time to physically prepare for his return.
Morant met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver in New York on Wednesday over his handling of a firearm at a suburban Denver nightclub earlier this month.
“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous,” Silver said in a statement. “It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among the young fans who look up to him. He has expressed sincere regret and remorse for his behavior. Ja has also made it clear to me that he learned from this incident and that he understands that his obligations and Responsibilities to the Memphis Grizzlies and the broader NBA community extend well beyond his game on the court.”
The league said, based on information obtained during its investigation, that it did not conclude that the gun in question belonged to Morant, that he brought it to the nightclub or that he displayed it for more than a brief period. The investigation also did not find that Morant possessed the weapon while he was traveling with the team or at any NBA facility, and Colorado authorities found insufficient grounds to charge Morant with a crime.
Morant has been seeking help for what he described in a statement as a need to “get help and work to learn better ways to deal with stress and my overall well-being,” and that got him out of Memphis on a leave of absence from the team, the companies said. sources. Morant entered a counseling program shortly after making the announcement.
The franchise had announced that the 23-year-old Morant would be out until at least Wednesday’s game against the Miami Heat. The Grizzlies said they would continue to prioritize Morant’s desire and need for help after a series of troubling incidents that culminated in him brandishing a gun at the suburban Denver nightclub on his Instagram Live on March 4.
The NBA has opened an investigation into the matter and the meeting with Silver on Wednesday was the final step in that process.
Morant, a two-time All-Star, is a former Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player for one of the league’s rising franchises. Before the Grizzlies’ game against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters that “Ja is fully committed to this process and ready for whatever comes after the next two games.” .
Morant began his Instagram Live session at 5:19 a.m. ET on March 4, hours after the Grizzlies’ 113-97 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday, March 3. Morant could be seen holding a pistol in his left hand. Morant deactivated his Instagram and Twitter accounts later that day.
In a statement at the time, Morant said he took “full responsibility for my actions last night.”
“I’m sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire organization for letting them down,” the statement read. “I’m going to take some time to get help and work on learning better ways to deal with stress and my overall well-being.”
Nike, which has an exclusive footwear line featuring Morant, endorsed the Grizzlies star in a statement shortly afterward.
“We appreciate Ja’s responsibility and that she is taking the time to get the help she needs,” the statement read. “We support your prioritization of his well-being.”
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon contributed to this report.
