<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BBC<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been suspended for 25 games without pay for “conduct detrimental to the NBA”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Morant, 23, was “suspended from all team activities” in May after appearing to hold a gun in a social media video for the second time in two months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His return is subject to completing an NBA programme that “directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behaviour”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Morant was suspended for eight games after the initial incident in March. On that occasion, a video showed the All-Star guard, who was the second overall draft pick in 2019, holding a gun in a Colorado nightclub, after which he apologised and said he would “get help”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I take full responsibility for my actions last night,” he added in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Morant said he is “committed to continuing to work on myself” after the latest incident, when during a live broadcast on Instagram he posed with a gun in a car with several other individuals as they left a social gathering in Memphis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me,” Morant said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This is a journey and I recognise there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 2023-24 NBA season begins in October, with each team playing 82 regular-season games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NBA said that Morant’s suspension begins immediately and will remain in effect for the first 25 games for which he is otherwise eligible and able to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“[His] decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The potential for other young people to emulate Ja’s conduct is particularly concerning. Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behaviour with guns will not be tolerated.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The National Basketball Players Association, the league’s players union, criticised the length of the ban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We believe it is excessive and inappropriate for a number of reasons,” NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It is not fair and consistent with past discipline in our league. We will explore with Ja all options and next steps.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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