By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has been suspended eight games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league, the NBA officially announced.
The suspension covers the six games he’ll miss, including Wednesday at Miami. Morant is eligible to play on Monday against Dallas, the same day he’s able to rejoin the Grizzlies in the team environment.
Morant met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver in New York on Wednesday over his handling of a firearm at a suburban Denver nightclub earlier this month.
“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless, and potentially very dangerous,” said Silver 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.”
The league said based on the information obtained during its investigation that it 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 investigation also did not find that Morant possessed the gun while traveling with the team or in any NBA facility, and the Colorado authorities did not find sufficient cause to charge Morant with a crime.
Morant has been seeking assistance for what he described in a statement as a need “to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being,” and that has taken him out of Memphis on a leave from the team, sources said. Morant entered a counseling program shortly after making the announcement.
The franchise had announced that Morant, 23, would be out at least through Wednesday’s game against the Miami Heat. The Grizzlies said they would continue to prioritize Morant’s desire and need to get assistance after a series of concerning incidents that culminated with him brandishing a gun at the suburban Denver nightclub on his Instagram Live feed March 4.
The NBA opened an investigation into the matter, and the meeting with Silver on Wednesday was the final step in that process.
Morant, a two-time All-Star, is a former Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player for one of the ascending franchises in the league.