The NBA has handed down a harsh penalty to Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, suspending him for 25 games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league. This is the second time this year that Morant has been disciplined for displaying a gun on social media, a behavior that the league considers reckless and irresponsible.
Morant’s suspension will begin with the start of the 2023-24 regular season and will last until early December. He will also have to meet certain conditions before he can return to the court, which have not been disclosed by the NBA. During his suspension, Morant is not allowed to participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games.
ESPN Sources: The NBA has suspended Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant 25 games to start the 2023-2024 season. pic.twitter.com/EGKRU7WqwO
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 16, 2023
The Grizzlies star issued a statement of apology, saying that he has learned from his mistake and that he will work on his mental health and decision making. He also said that he will train hard to be ready when he can play again. Morant expressed his gratitude to his fans and asked for their forgiveness.
The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) said that it finds the suspension to be excessive and inappropriate, and that it is not fair and consistent with past discipline in the league. The NBPA said that it will support Morant and help him through this difficult time.
Morant’s suspension is one of the longest in NBA history, and it will have a significant impact on the Grizzlies’ performance and morale. Morant is one of the best players in the league, averaging 25.6 points, 7.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game last season. He led the Grizzlies to their first playoff appearance since 2017 and was named an All-Star for the first time in his career.
The longest suspension was handed down to OJ Mayo who was suspended for 164 games, which is two full seasons after repeatedly violating the league’s Anti-Drug Program.
