Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies carries the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the Western Conference playoffs at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, April 26, 2023.
Justin Ford | Getty Images
The National Basketball Association suspended Ja Morant for 25 games after the Memphis Grizzlies star brandished a gun on live video for the second time, the league said Friday.
Morant’s suspension will take effect at the start of the upcoming season. The NBA said Morant must meet unspecified “conditions” before returning to play, and he will not be able to participate in team or league activities other than preseason games.
Morant, a 23-year-old NBA All-Star, brandished a gun for the first time during a nightclub livestream in March, leading to an eight-game suspension. He then displayed a firearm in a car with friends in a second stream last month.
“Ja Morant’s decision to again brandish a gun on social media is appalling and disturbing given his eight-game suspension for similar behavior in March,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement Friday. .
Silver added, “Basketball needs to take a backseat at this time. Before he can return to the game, he will be required to develop and implement a plan with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that lead him to repeat this destructive behavior.”
in a statement to ESPN On Friday, Morant apologized and promised he “will get better.” He said he will spend the offseason working on his mental health.
“I hope you’ll give me the chance to show you over time that I’m a better person than I’ve always shown you,” he said.
Morant got nike. In a statement Friday, the sportswear giant said: “We are delighted that Ja is taking responsibility and putting his health first. We will continue to support him on and off the court.”
he was also recognized Coca ColaPowerade, but beverage companies have pulled an ad Feature the NBA star and wipe him off social media.
– CNBC’s Jessica Golden contributed to this report
