NBA All-Star Ja Morant suspended 25 games

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - The NBA suspended Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant for 25 games without pay Friday for brandishing a firearm on social media.

"Morant's suspension begins immediately and will remain in effect through the first 25 games of the 2023-24 regular season," the NBA said in a statement about the penalty for conduct detrimental to the league.

The 23-year-old all-star will also be barred from public league and team activities, including preseason games, throughout his suspension, said the statement said, adding that he will need to meet certain conditions before he can return to the court.

It is the second time Morant was suspended in the last three months after an eight-game suspension in March.

Morant appeared on a friend's Instagram feed holding what appeared to be a gun last month, prompting the latest investigation by the NBA.

He had already been suspended by the Grizzlies from team activities, in anticipation of the NBA sanction.

The point guard released a statement following his recent suspension, apologizing for his actions on social media.

"I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis. To (NBA Commissioner) Adam Silver, (Grizzlies General Manager) Zach Kleiman and (Grizzlies owner) Robert Pera — who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and have supported me — I'm sorry for the harm I've done."

Morant was named to the All-Star team twice in 2022 and 2023, averaging 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 8.1 assists in 61 games this season.