NBA World Reacts to Latest Ja Morant Suspension
On Sunday, the Grizzlies suspended star point guard Ja Morant after the two-time All-Star was seen holding a gun on an Instagram Live video Saturday. The move marks the second time this year that Morant has been suspended for displaying a gun on video.
“We are aware of the social media video involving Ja Morant,” the Grizzlies said in a statement. “He is suspended from all team activities pending league review. We have no further comment at this time.”
The video from Saturday shows Morant in a vehicle listening to music with friends when the 23-year-old pulls out a gun and points it upward. The camera quickly pans away from Morant after the gun is shown.
Grizzlies star Ja Morant was allegedly seen holding a gun on an IG Live yesterday.pic.twitter.com/bqvwbwgd9m
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 14, 2023
Morant was issued an eight-game suspension after he shared an Instagram Live video of himself holding a gun in a night club in Colorado in March. He eventually returned to play and was active through the end of the regular season and the team’s first-round playoff exit.
Saturday’s video and subsequent suspension prompted strong reactions from the NBA world. Here are some notable responses from key basketball voices.
From March.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 14, 2023
Still hoping Ja Morant can figure out whatever is going on. https://t.co/nLz1SomGi7
In a country that worships, protects, & fetishizes guns like this one, why are we even surprised that Ja Morant is flashing a piece on IG? It’s tragic as hell to see him spiral, but the political, cultural and legal flooding of this country with guns might be part of this story. https://t.co/a1uA5vWb9r
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) May 14, 2023
Ja Morant ain’t go stop until he’s OUT the League. SMH
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 14, 2023
Ja Morant, after the Grizzlies were eliminated with a 40-point loss to the Lakers: "I've just got to be better with my decision-making. That's pretty much it. Off-the-court issues affected us as an organization pretty much. Just [need] more discipline."
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 14, 2023
i'm also not sure how some can't see the difference between waving a gun around to impress people and simply owning one. this isn't really about a principle. it's about how lil buddy is moving, and it's all bad. i don't see how anyone with any life experience sees it differently.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) May 14, 2023
In light of Ja Morant’s situation here’s the real reason why the NBA suspended Gilbert Arenas for 50 games @GilsArenaShow
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 14, 2023
Full episode: https://t.co/n9lQsISWV6 pic.twitter.com/0hptXil1fi