NBA Star Ja Morant Leaves Social Media In Shambles After He Receives Second Suspension From Memphis Grizzlies For Flashing Gun On Instagram Live Again
NBA Star Ja Morant Leaves Social Media In Shambles After He Receives Second Suspension From Memphis Grizzlies For Flashing Gun On Instagram Live Again
Unfortunately, it seems that Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant didn’t learn his lesson from the last time.
As previously reported, in March, Ja Morant copped an eight-game suspension for waving a gun online while inside a nightclub.
The viral incident led to Ja Morant having to undergo mandatory behavioral counseling and even deactivating his social media accounts for “stress-management” purposes.
In a subsequent interview with sports analyst Jalen Rose, the NBA phenomenon said of his actions,
“The gun [that I was holding] wasn’t mine. It’s not who I am; I don’t condone any type of violence. But I take full responsibility for my actions. I made a bad mistake, but I can see the image that I’ve painted [of] myself with my recent mistakes. But, in the future, I’ma show everybody who Ja really is, what I’m about, and change this narrative.”
Ja Morant sat down with @JalenRose in an exclusive interview about the incident that led to his suspension and his path forward. pic.twitter.com/t1WwL5dvrQ
— ESPN (@espn) March 15, 2023
Additionally, Morant extended an apology to his Grizzlies family and fans, indicating that he had the weapon during a time of emotional turmoil.
Of course, things (seemingly) got back on track for the 23-year-old athlete, but… not for long. Over the weekend, Morant was captured flaunting another weapon on video, alongside his longtime friend, Davonte Pack.
In the now well-circulated clip, the South Carolina native is caught dangling (what appears to be) a pistol in the air before Pack swiftly shifts the camera back on himself.
Grizzlies star Ja Morant was allegedly seen holding a gun on an IG Live yesterday.pic.twitter.com/bqvwbwgd9m
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 14, 2023
Morant’s interaction with the “piece” has ultimately resulted in a second (temporary) removal from the team. Although, as of now, the specifics of the benching aren’t clear.
A statement (shared by NBA senior writer Marc J. Spears) from the Memphis Grizzlies read:
“We are aware of the social media video involving Ja Morant. He is suspended from all team activities pending League review. We have no further comment at this time.”
So far, no word from Morant addressing the matter, but prior to the occurrence, Morant did allude to being under a lot of pressure in a tweet.
He wrote,
“[I] seem to go my hardest when I’m going thru it.”
Fellow celebrities like retired baller Kwame Brown, Shannon Sharpe, and Fat Joe have since spoken out amid the chaotic reports. Kwame Brown expressed in a video to Morant,
“You like to play with guns, huh? So, instead of you just being in your house, buying all the guns you want, playing with all the guns you want–off camera–you want to get in trouble for having a gun at a club, give a bullsh*t apology, and then show a gun on Instagram Live? I’ve heard of NBA Youngboy, but you NBA Dumb Boy!”
Nah kwame brown went off on Ja Morant ?????
“I’ve heard of NBA Youngboy but you NBA Dumb boy bc you got to be the stupidest mf in the league” pic.twitter.com/MrbogC9knh
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) May 15, 2023
As for Fat Joe, he feels as if Morant is “trying hard to get kicked out [of] the NBA,” while Shannon Sharpe maintains that he’s “disgusted and disappointed” by the people who defended the young athlete amid his first suspension.
Social media’s thoughts, however, seem to vary. Check out some of Twitter’s reactions below!
What’s your take on Ja Morant’s latest suspension? Let us know in the comments!