LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 20: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during a 122-121 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on January 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
NBA superstar Ja Morant has become the focal point of a league investigation following his recent social media activity, while the Memphis Grizzlies have moved to suspend him.
Morant, who is playing out his fourth term as a pro, was drafted No.1 overall in 2019 and has turned the franchise around. But this season has been a cause for worry, to say the least, with several reports of violent behavior and threats having surfaced over the last few weeks.
Ja Morant about to get kicked out of the NBA and go straight to jail.https://t.co/4TcFBl7YzG
— TPS (@TotalProSports) March 4, 2023
As if the above wasn’t bad enough, Morant got on Instagram Live and showed off a pistol while at a nightclub in the wee hours of Saturday morning in the wake of a loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.
As expected, the NBA has begun probing. Insider Adrian Wojnarowski revealed as much via Twitter on Saturday afternoon.
NBA spokesman Mike Bass: “We are aware of a social media post involving Ja Morant and are investigating.”
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 4, 2023
The Grizzlies have also suspended him for at least two games following the incident, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Grizzlies say Morant – who was seen brandishing an apparent gun early Saturday – will be away from the franchise for at least Sunday at Clippers and Tuesday at Lakers. https://t.co/5ZIoiDOdaO
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 4, 2023
Morant Is Developing A Reputation
Just this week, an article citing police reports revealed Morant was accused of repeatedly punching a 17-year-old boy in the head and threatening him with a gun after a pickup basketball game at the point guard’s house went awry.
Prior to that, the NBA investigated claims of someone in Morant’s vehicle pointing the laser sight of a gun on members of staff of the Indiana Pacers. The league couldn’t verify the reports of a weapon but banned certain individuals from attending Grizzlies home games.
Morant’s behavior is puzzling, given the fact that he’s one of the best players in the NBA and comes from a good, stable family. Should he continue along this path, he’s going to get himself in some real trouble.
