Ja Morant is also considered the upcoming face of the NBA thanks to his spectacular style of play and enormous jumping ability. He is already a star at the age of 23 – but now the point guard got himself into trouble, which might even get him a full suspension.
Caused a scandal once more: Yes Morant.
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On Friday night in the Western Conference, the duel between leaders Denver and pursuers Memphis was on the program – the Nuggets won 113:97, but the game was quickly forgotten because Morant caused a real scandal.
During the night, the 23-year-old streamed a video via Instagram showing him shirtless at a strip club, where he also appeared to be brandishing a gun. The two-time All-Star has since deactivated both his Twitter and Instagram accounts, but by then the kid had already fallen into the well.
Morant is remorseful
Although Morant was remorseful, he released a video apologizing to “my family, my teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the franchise” and taking responsibility for his behavior. He now wants to take a break and seek help “to find ways to cope better with the stress”.
In a first reaction, the Grizzlies announced that they would not use their superstar in the next two games – the first game at the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night was lost 129:135, the away game at the Lakers on Wednesday night will also miss Morant.
Whether it will stay with these two games is still unclear. “There is no time window,” confirmed Memphis coach Kurt Henlin: “We said there will be at least two games, but we’re looking at it from day to day. It’s an ongoing healing process.”
NBA initiates investigation
Spectacular dunks are his trademark: Yes Morant.
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The NBA also wants to take a closer look at the situation, as NBA spokesman Mike Bass recently confirmed. “We saw the video and will investigate the case.” The investigation might have dire consequences as Morant might have committed a serious rule infraction.
The league prohibits players from carrying “firearms of any kind” while on “NBA-related travel” – and Morant was in Denver on a league-related trip stood because the Grizzlies had an away game there.
If it turns out that it was his weapon and he brought it with him, the NBA might punish him draconically – a ban of 50 games would be possible in such a case.
In terms of sport, the Grizzlies, who got him as the second draft pick in 2019, will definitely miss Morant enormously. The point guard was instrumental in helping Memphis so high up the table, averaging 27.1 points, 8.2 assists and 6 rebounds.
In the West, the Grizzlies are second with 38 wins and 25 losses behind Denver (45-19), but are hot on their heels with both the Sacramento Kings (37-26) and the Phoenix Suns (36-29).
Does he think regarding his behavior? Yes Morant.
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There were negative headlines before
It remains to be seen whether there will be a long ban. Either way: The scandal comes at absolutely the wrong time for Morant, as the “Washington Post” recently reported that he had been on file with the police twice in 2022. In one case, he is said to have hit a 17-year-old several times following an argument during a basketball game and then threatened him with a gun that he had stuck in his waistband.
In the other case, he and nine companions are said to have threatened a security worker at a shopping center – the decisive factor is said to have been that Morant’s mother had previously gotten into a dispute with an employee of the shop. Morant’s attorney denied all allegations. The fact is, no charges have been filed.
