Memphis star Ja Morant, who exposed himself on his social media with a gun, has suspended eight games

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, who posted a video of him brandishing a gun at a nightclub, has been suspended for eight games.”for conduct harmful to the League“, the NBA announced on Wednesday, March 15.

The story began on March 4th. Already considered one of the best players in the NBA, Ja Morant, 23, posted a live stream of him holding a gun at a nightclub in Glendale, Colorado. The local police had opened an investigation and “he concluded that no one had been threatened by the firearm and that in fact no firearm had been found“, deciding not to accuse the young man. The latter, without saying how it ended up in his hands, assured that “it didn’t belong to him”. The NBA also conducted its investigations, establishing that Ja Morant”he was intoxicated“at the time of events.

“Irresponsible Conduct”

“The conduct of Ja [Morant] it was irresponsible, inconsiderate and potentially very dangerous”said the boss of the league, Adam Silver, after a meeting in the offices of the NBA in New York with the concerned principal, also in the presence of the director of the union of the players (NBPA).”It also has serious ramifications given the enormous influence he wields, especially on the younger fans who look up to him. He expressed sincere contrition and remorse for his behavior“, He added.

Ja Morant, who had apologized in a press release the day after the events, adding that he wanted “get help managing (his) stress and general well-being“, joined a psychological support program in Florida for a few days. This incident is the latest in a series involving the Memphis leader, accused in particular of giving “From 12 to 13 strokes“to a 17-year-old at his home in July 2022.

“I realize what I have to lose (…) It’s just about being more responsible, smarter and avoid making bad decisions“said the Grizzlies star in an interview with ESPN.

His suspension”without salary payment“, is retroactive, the NBA also specified. The full-back, fired until further notice by his club for five games, will therefore be able to return to play on Monday, March 20, at the Dallas Mavericks reception.