Grizzlies' Ja Morant suspended for 25 games by NBA - ESPN

The NBA has suspended Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant for 25 games to start the 2023-24 season because of conduct detrimental to the league, it was announced Friday.

The Grizzlies suspended Morant from team activities May 14 after a video on social media circulated showing the All-Star brandishing a firearm. The NBA suspended Morant for eight games following a similar incident in March, when he was seen on Instagram Live holding up a handgun while intoxicated at a Denver-area club.

«Ja Morant's decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games,» NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. «The potential for other young people to emulate Ja's conduct is particularly concerning. Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated.»

The suspension will come with conditions for his return, the league said.

«For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time,» Silver said in the statement. «Prior to his return to play, he will be required to formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior.»

Morant will be ineligible to participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games, during the suspension.

«I've had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I've caused,» Morant said in a statement issued Friday. «I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis. To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman and Robert Pera — who gave me the