Ja Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies’ star guard, is under investigation by the NBA after a video emerged of him holding a gun. The video was posted on his Instagram page and sparked an immediate investigation by the league.
The news comes amid reports that Morant had been involved in a fight with a 17-year-old last summer and had allegedly threatened a mall security guard. While no charges were brought in either of the incidents, the video of Morant holding the gun has raised serious concerns.
In response to the video, Morant said he was taking “time away to get help” and apologizing to his family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, and the Grizzlies organization. He also said he took “full responsibility for my actions.”
The Grizzlies also announced that Morant would be missing at least two games, with the earliest he could play again being Thursday against the Golden State Warriors. The Washington Post reported that the fight with the 17-year-old happened on July 26th at Morant’s house.
The teenager told police that Morant had punched him at least 12 times and that Morant had come out of his house with a gun visible on his waistband. Morant told police that he had punched the teenager but was the aggressor.
The second incident occurred in a mall parking lot, where a mall security guard claimed to have been pushed in the head by members of Morant’s entourage after asking them to leave. The incident reportedly began when Morant’s mother had gotten into a dispute with a store employee inside the mall.
Morant has been a standout player for the Grizzlies this season, averaging 27.1 points, 8.2 assists, and 6.0 rebounds in 53 games (all starts). He was even named to his second straight All-Star Game. The incident undoubtedly casts a shadow over Morant’s reputation and future with the Grizzlies.
It has yet to be determined what the outcomes of the NBA investigation will be, but it’s clear that Morant has some work to do to repair his image. The Grizzlies have made it clear that they are taking the situation seriously and taking the necessary steps to ensure the incident is handled properly. It’s now up to Morant to prove he is a responsible player and person who can be trusted to handle himself properly.