After concluding that Ja Morant’s display of a weapon at a club in suburban Denver earlier this month constituted “conduct detrimental to the league,” the NBA on Wednesday suspended him for eight games without pay.
When the Grizzlies play the Heat on Wednesday night in Miami, Morant will miss his sixth game. He will miss the following two contests but is eligible to play against Dallas on Monday.
The games Morant has already missed will be added to the punishment, and he will lose out on nearly $669,000 in compensation.
“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him.”
After concluding that Ja Morant’s display of a weapon at a club in suburban Denver earlier this month constituted “conduct detrimental to the league,” the NBA on Wednesday suspended him for eight games without pay.
When the Grizzlies play the Heat on Wednesday night in Miami, Morant will miss his sixth game. He will miss the following two contests but is eligible to play against Dallas on Monday.
The games Morant has already missed will be added to the punishment, and he will lose out on nearly $669,000 in compensation.
The league inquiry also failed to turn up any evidence that Morant was in possession of the gun while inside any NBA facilities or that he took it on Memphis’ aircraft to Denver for that game. Following an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the video, Colorado police stated last week that they had found no justification for charging Morant with a felony.
“He has expressed sincere contrition and remorse for his behavior,” Silver said. “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.”
