Ja Morad it should be on everyone’s lips due to its exceptional level of play that drives some Memphis Grizzlies who compete in the Western Conference. However, the team’s young star is in the midst of a serious controversy leading to suspension from his own franchise.
What happened to Ja Morant and why was he suspended? All the details.
What happened to Ja Morant? The fight with a gun
The controversy surrounding Ja Morant stems from his own social networks. And it is that the base of the Grizzlies appeared in a live from his own instagram account (with more than 9 million followers) on the morning of Saturday, March 4 holding a gun while in a nightclub.
Grizzlies star Ja Morant was reportedly seen showing off a gun on his IG Live this morning.pic.twitter.com/HlhvoWlnYy
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) March 4, 2023
What is Ja Morant’s suspension? The NBA investigation and the Grizzlies’ decision
Hours after the video was released on social media, NBA spokesman Mike Buss issued a brief statement: “We are aware of the post involving Ja Morant and are investigating it”.
NBA spokesman Mike Bass: “We are aware of a social media post that involved Ja Morand and are investigating.”
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 4, 2023
Of course later came a quick decision from the Grizzlies themselves, who “cut their losses” and they decided to suspend Morant. “The player will be out of the team for at least the next two games”the organization said.
Statement from the Memphis Grizzlies pic.twitter.com/CLB2TG5nnI
– Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) March 4, 2023
How long will Ja Morant be out and what games will he miss?
As the Grizzlies reported, Morad will be out for “at least” two games. That is, at least, they won’t be in the games against the LA Clippers (Sunday) and the Los Angeles Lakers (Tuesday). Of course, the communication from Memphis says “at least,” so a bigger sanction shouldn’t be ruled out as details of the situation become known.
In addition, we will have to wait for the decision of the NBA, which is usually very careful about the image that its protagonists give. There’s a chance we’ll see at least one player fine for this episode.
Ja Morant’s extra-sports problems
Morant was already embroiled in controversy before the Instagram Live video was posted.
On Wednesday, a Washington Post report claimed that Morad had repeatedly hit a teenager in the head and threatened him with a gun during a basketball game at his home. The report also accused him of threatening the head of security at a Memphis mall.
Morant’s agent, Jim Tanner, denied the allegations in a statement. He argued that his client acted in self-defense.
He was also involved in an incident in late January in which members of the Pacers organization claimed a car carrying Morant and others pointed a red laser at them. Prosecutors said they felt in “grave danger” during the fight.
Morant later stated that one of his friends was banned from Grizzlies home games for at least a year after the incident.
Tanner also denied those accusations, saying he was “baseless rumors and gossip” what were they “Spread by people motivated to bring down Ja and tarnish his reputation for their own financial gain”.
Ja Morant in the 2022-2023 season
In his fourth NBA season, Morad is averaging 27.1 points (46.3% from the field), 6.0 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 32.5 minutes. This year he received his second All-Star Game selection. He leads the second-place Grizzlies in the West 38-24.
