Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies brings the ball upcourt in the course of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Five of the Western Conference playoffs at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, April 26, 2023.
Justin Ford | Getty Images
The National Basketball Association suspended Ja Morant for 25 games after the Memphis Grizzlies star brandished a gun on a live video for the second time, the league said Friday.
Morant’s suspension will take effect at the beginning of the upcoming season. The NBA said Morant can have to satisfy unspecified “conditions” before he returns to the court and is not going to give you the option to take part in team or league activities, along with preseason games.
Morant, a 23-year-old NBA All-Star, first waved a gun in a livestream from an evening club in March, prompting an eight-game suspension. He then displayed a firearm in a automobile with friends during a second video stream last month.
“Ja Morant’s decision to once more wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in an announcement Friday.
Silver added that “basketball must take a back seat presently. Prior to his return to play, he shall be required to formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior.”
In an announcement to ESPN on Friday, Morant apologized and promised he’s “going to be higher.” He said he would spend the offseason working on his mental health.
“I hope you will give me the prospect to prove to you over time I’m a greater man than what I have been showing you,” he said.
Morant is endorsed by Nike. In an announcement Friday, the athletic apparel giant said, “We’re pleased that Ja is taking accountability and prioritizing his well-being. We’ll proceed to support him on and off the court.”
He can be endorsed by Coca-Cola‘s Powerade, however the drink company has pulled an ad featuring the NBA star and scrubbed him from social media.
— CNBC’s Jessica Golden contributed to this report
