Ja Morant suspended 8 games for detrimental conduct
The NBA suspended Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant eight games without pay for detrimental conduct, the league announced Wednesday.
Morant broadcast a livestream on his Instagram on March 4 in which he brandished a gun while intoxicated at a nightclub in Colorado.
"Based on the information obtained during the investigation, the league did not conclude that the gun at issue belonged to Morant, was brought by him into the nightclub, or was displayed by him beyond a brief period," the league's statement said.
The investigation also didn't determine that Morant possessed the gun while traveling with the Grizzlies or in any NBA facility. Police didn't charge him, citing a lack of available evidence.
"Ja's conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him. He has expressed sincere contrition and remorse for his behavior. Ja has also made it clear to me that he has learned from this incident and that he understands his obligations and responsibility to the Memphis Grizzlies and the broader NBA community extend well beyond his play on the court."
Morant has been away from the team for the last five games, which counts toward his suspension. He is eligible to return Monday, March 20 against the Dallas Mavericks.
It was reported Monday that Morant had entered a counseling program in Florida. He left that program and met with Silver and various high-ranking league officials in New York on Wednesday to discuss his conduct.
His ramp-up period is expected to extend beyond next Monday's game because Morant didn't play basketball while he was at the counseling center, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
Further, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said he doesn't expect Morant to suit up in Monday's contest against the Mavericks, according to The Associated Press' Tim Reynolds.
Morant apologized for his actions in a statement March 4, saying he would "take some time away to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being." He entered the counseling program shortly after releasing the statement, sources told Wojnarowski.