NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed the off-court actions of Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant and his recent suspension, after being seen holding a firearm again while being broadcast on social media.
“Honestly, I was shocked when I saw, this weekend, that video,” Silver said in a televised interview with ESPN before the draft lottery in Chicago. “We’re in the process of investigating it and we’ll figure out exactly what happened as best as we can. The video’s a bit grainy and all that, but I’m assuming the worst. We’ll figure out exactly what happened there.”
“He could have injured, maimed, killed himself, someone else, with an act like that. And also the acknowledgement that he’s a star. He has an incredibly huge following. And my concern — and I thought he shared with me — that millions if not tens of millions of kids globally would see him as having done something that was celebrating in a way that act of using a firearm in that fashion,” Adam Silver stated.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Ja Morant seen brandishing what appeared to be another firearm on social media: “Honestly, I was shocked.” pic.twitter.com/cGq3r1uG7g
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) May 17, 2023
Ja Morant could miss half or more of the 2023/24 season, following his suspension from the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies suspended him indefinitely on Sunday, after Morant was seen holding a gun in an Instagram Live during the weekend.
.@wojespn provides the latest on Ja Morant and his suspension: pic.twitter.com/Dw1fVFn9vn
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 14, 2023
Adam Silver and the NBA have already opened an investigation as this is the second time that Morant gets involved in a similar incident.
“I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me,” Morant said in a statement released Tuesday night by his representatives. “This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself.”
Back in March, Morant was suspended eight games, and took time away from basketball, but his off-court issues have not been solved yet.
Morant averaged 26.2 points this season and led the Memphis Grizzlies to the No.2 seed in the West. Memphis got eliminated by the LA Lakers in six games (4-2).
Ja Morant statement: “I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me. This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself.”
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 17, 2023
