NBA Commissioner Adam Silver admitted he was “shocked” when the latest video showing Ja Morant wielding a gun surfaced just weeks after meeting the young star about his previous incident.
The Memphis Grizzlies suspended Morant “from all team activities” on Sunday after he was spotted on Instagram brandishing a gun for the second time in two months.
Morant was spotted in the driver’s seat of a car wielding a gun on Instagram Live on Sunday.
The clip came just two months after Silver held a meeting with Morant in New York after he was spotted with a gun at a Denver strip club in an Instagram video, sparking a police and league investigation.
League Commissioner Silver said he believed Morant understood the seriousness of the first incident and was therefore in disbelief when the second clip surfaced over the weekend.
“Honestly I was shocked when I saw this video this weekend. Now we’re investigating it.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke about Ja Morant after his latest video. pic.twitter.com/W0lX4E2fa4
— ESPN (@espn) May 16, 2023
Ja Morant appeared in an Instagram live video on Saturday where he was seen with a gun
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver admitted he was “shocked” by the latest incident
“Honestly, I was shocked when I saw this video this weekend,” he told ESPN ahead of Tuesday night’s NBA Draft Lottery.
“Now we’re investigating.” We’re trying to figure out exactly what happened as best we can. Again, the video is grainy and whatnot, but I’m assuming the worst.”
Morant’s March incident saw him dancing topless at a strip club before raising a gun to the side of his head.
Hours after the incident, it was reported that he was being investigated by the NBA and that Morant had been suspended by the Grizzlies for “at least two games” while the investigation continued.
Morant then issued a statement accepting responsibility for his actions and stating that he would be taking time off from the game to work on his well-being.
“I take full responsibility for my actions last night,” he said. “To my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire Grizzlies organization, I’m sorry that I let you down.”
“I will take some time to get help and work on learning better ways to manage stress and my overall well-being.”
An investigation by the Glendale, Colorado Police Department found no criminal charges and found no wrongdoing.
Back in March, Morant appeared to be holding a gun in a live Instagram video at a Denver club
However, while Morant was making time for his well-being, which included a brief stay at a treatment center in Florida, he met with Silver, where he was told he would be suspended for eight games – including the time he had already served had.
Silver announced Tuesday that he also discussed the seriousness of Morant’s actions with him and got the impression the point guard understood the seriousness.
“We spoke directly about the ramifications of the first incident before we got to the possibility of doing something wrong,” Silver said when asked by ESPN if he had updated Morant on the subsequent ramifications should a similar one arise incident would repeat.
“We were very focused on the wrongdoing that was before us at the time.” Honestly, most of our conversation revolved around how incredibly serious the first incident was – brandishing a firearm on social media.
“Consequences again – an eight-game ban was pretty serious and something that, to me at least, he seemed to take very seriously at the time.”
“We’ve talked about this at length, not only about the consequences that this could have on his career, but also about the safety issues involved – he could have maimed, injured or killed himself or someone else with such an act – and also about the recognition that he’s a…” star, he has an incredibly large following, and my concern, and I thought he shared it with me, was that millions if not tens of millions of children around the world have something in him would see that celebrates him.
“At least I felt like he was taking it incredibly seriously.”
Following Silver’s interview, analyst Stephen A. Smith insisted the commissioner was doing his best to curb repeat offenders in the league.
“You’re dealing with a detective[Adam Silver]now who wants to stop repeat offenders, he’s going to send a message,” Smith said.
In the latest clip. Morant was seen on Instagram Live in the driver’s seat of a car while singing along to rapper YoungBoy NBA’s song “1.5” while holding a gun.
After revealing the firearm, the person who took the video immediately turned the camera away from Morant to watch the rest of the clip that emerged.
Morant (left) sat in the driver’s seat of a car, pointing a pistol at the camera
In a statement to DailyMail.com on Sunday, the league said: “We are aware of the social media post featuring Ja Morant and are in the process of gathering more information.”
Silver now appears to have confirmed that the NBA is investigating the incident, but it’s unclear if this will result in criminal charges or what, if any, further action the NBA will take.
The scandal is just the latest in a series of controversies that have dogged Morant throughout the season – something he recently recognized as a distraction for the team.
After the Grizzlies were knocked out of the playoffs by the Lakers, Morant said, “I just have to make my decisions better.” That’s pretty much it. Extrajudicial issues have affected us quite a bit as an organization. Only [need] more discipline.’
Morant was sued in September for allegedly punching a Tennessee teenager, Josh Holloway, in the face during a catch-up game, but the NBA star claims he acted in self-defense.
Police interviews obtained by The Washington Post show the 17-year-old told investigators at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office that the point guard hit him “12 to 13 times,” adding that Morant’s boyfriend hit him “four up to five times”. ‘
Holloway claimed that when Morant got up to leave after the fight, he went into his house and reappeared with a gun.
Morant reportedly had the gun visible in his waistband and had the gun in his hand.
Morant has had several violent incidents this season – including a fight with a teenager
This alleged incident took place at Morant’s mansion outside of Memphis last summer (pictured).
The 17-year-old plaintiff claimed he was playing pickup basketball with Morant when the two got into an argument that quickly escalated. He admits to throwing a basketball at Morant and “accidentally” hitting the 1.9m tall security guard in the face.
Morant and his friend allegedly responded by “hitting the 17-year-old with a clenched fist, throwing him to the ground” and leaving him with a “large lump” on the side of his head, according to a police report written by officers who said , they observed the boy’s injuries.
Morant recently filed a countersuit against Holloway, alleging that he lied to police officers and that the youth was the attacker in the situation.
Morant was also involved in another incident at a Memphis mall last summer after the New York Post reported the security chief told police Morant had “threatened” him during an altercation in the parking lot.
Morant’s mother reportedly got into an argument with a shoe store clerk at the mall and called her son, who arrived shortly afterwards with a group of “up to nine people”.
According to the police report, Morant and his friends refused to leave the parking lot when confronted by the mall’s security director.
Police arrived and a “verbal confrontation” reportedly escalated before someone in Morant’s entourage allegedly punched the security chief in the head, the report said.
“As the group left the premises … Ja Morant said, ‘Let me find out when he will be released,’ police wrote.
Morant recognized the controversy as a distraction for the team (pictured with Memphis Grizzlies teammate Dillon Brooks, left)
Additionally, there was an alleged incident after the Grizzlies vs. Pacers game on Jan. 29 when Morant’s acquaintances “aggressively confronted” members of Indiana’s touring party — and someone allegedly pointed a red laser at them.
the athlete called Morant was traveling in an SUV with his friend Vomte Pack and another person when a red laser was pointed at the Pacers’ bus.
Two people who spoke anonymously to the publication said they believed the laser was attached to a gun, while a nearby Indiana security guard claimed, “It’s 100 percent a gun.” However, it could not be confirmed whether the laser was attached to a weapon.
The league launched an investigation into the allegation, but concluded that it “does not confirm that an individual threatened others with a weapon,” an NBA spokesman said.
