Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, 23, is under scrutiny from the NBA again after he accidentally flashed what appeared to be a gun during an Instagram Live video posted over the weekend.
The video, which appeared to have been posted on Saturday, came two months later The NBA suspended Morant for displaying a gun in an Instagram live video filmed at a nightclub near Denver. He expressed regret at that, saying that he would have been better.
On Sunday, the Grizzlies said in a words that they will suspend Morant from all team activities pending the league’s review of the new video. Mike Bass, a league spokesman, said the NBA is “aware” of the post and is gathering information.
In March, a The league suspended Morant for eight games after the nightclub movie. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted Morant’s “significant following and influence” in announcing the suspension, which he said was a serious blow to the league. The Instagram Live video was posted early on March 4, in which, the NBA said, Morant was “intoxicated.” Morant soon left the group and went to a place in Florida to receive counseling.
“I’m going to take the time to get help and try to learn better ways to deal with stress and stay healthy,” Morant said at the time in a statementwhich was posted on Twitter by Tandem, the agency that represents him.
Unlike on Sunday, when the Grizzlies suspended Morant, the team responded directly to the March incident, saying only that Morant would be leaving the team. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins avoided criticizing Morant in a press conference and said little about any discussions he or the team may have had with Morant.
Morant later said that going to counseling was his decision.
The nightclub incident was just one of Morant’s off-court incidents dating back to last summer, some of which involved people who said they were threatened by Morant or his friends, according to reports. The Washington Post and The Athletic.
When Morant returned from his March suspension, he expressed confusion and frustration. He said the journey he started in counseling is a continuing process.
He celebrated with Grizzlies fans in his first game back. Members of his family wore clothes that said “redemption” there. In a statement after the game, Morant revealed that he sometimes feels that he loves her.
However, returning there was an opportunity for Morant to show that his desire to be said to be good was sincere.
Morant is one of the top point guards in the league. His signature shoe with Nike debuted in March.
He just finished his fourth season with the Grizzlies, coming to the team as a small but electrifying guard out of Murray State as the No. 2 pick in the 2019 draft. He is the leader of a talented young team that was one of the best in the Western Conference. Conference all season though Memphis is struggling with injuries to key players. The Grizzlies lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs last month.
Last week, after Morant was selected as one of six guards on three All-NBA teams, he received a tweet from a Grizzlies writer who suggested that his off-court actions may have led to him not being selected.