Memphis, Tenn.–Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has been suspended 25 games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league, the NBA announced Friday.
Morant came to the NBA from Murray State University.
Morant’s suspension begins immediately and will remain in effect through the first 25 games of the 2023-24 regular season. Morant will also have to adhere to certain conditions before being reinstated, the NBA said. Additionally, Morant is ineligible to participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games, during the course of his suspension.
It is the second time he has been suspended in the last three months for showing a firearm on social media, following an eight-game suspension in March.
“Ja Morant’s decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement Friday. “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 behavior with guns will not be tolerated.”
Morant is due to make around $33.5 million this season. He now stands to lose just over $300,000 per game during this suspension — or approximately $7.5 million.
Morant issued a statement Friday in which he said, in part: “I’ve had time to reflect and realize how much hurt I’ve caused. I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis. … I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making.
“I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court. … I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing.”
The Grizzlies said in a statement: “We respect the league’s decision to suspend Ja Morant following this latest episode. Our standards as a league and team are clear, and we expect that all team personnel will adhere to them.”
Memphis Grizzlies photo.