NBA suspends Ja Morant for eight games without pay for gun incident

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The National Basketball Association (NBA) finally released its final verdict on Memphis Grizzlies’ superstar Ja Morant after a gun incident that caused his temporary suspension from the league.

After entering a counseling program a couple of days ago, Morant has just been given a final timetable to return to the hardwood after the NBA slapped him with an eight-game suspension without pay announced by commissioner Adam Silver.

Silver relayed the most recent development on Morant’s status last March 15, 2023, and bared that they already talked and discussed things.

“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous. Ja has also made it clear to me that he has learned from his 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,” said Silver in a statement.

With the schedule given, Morant will be able to reinforce the Grizzlies on March 20, 2023, when Memphis squares off with the Dallas Mavericks.

Since his viral gun flashing video when he went live on Instagram, Morant has been away from the NBA for the past 10 days and also received disciplinary action from the Memphis franchise.

Aside from his gun issue, Morant was also under fire when he allegedly hit a teenager during a pickup game in his house while threatening a security member of a mall located in Memphis.

Last but not the least, Morant’s escorts made noise when they allegedly threatened some staff members of the Indiana Pacers.

The Indiana side shared that Morant’s entourage aimed a gun with a red laser toward them after Memphis’ 112-100 win.

Without Morant, the Grizzlies are now at the third spot of the tight Western Conference with a 41-27 win-loss record and will have to win more games to formalize its ticket in the NBA playoffs.

Memphis will be looking to bounce back after suffering a beating from Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat yesterday, 138-119, that snapped their three-game winning streak.