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The Grizzlies suspended Morant from team
activities in May over the latest incident, in which he appeared
to pose with a firearm in a car, conduct that the NBA found to
be "detrimental to the league."
"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.
"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 behaviour with guns will not be tolerated."
Morant took accountability for his actions last month and
released another statement after the suspension was announced,
apologising to the NBA, the Grizzlies and the city of Memphis.
"I'm sorry for the harm I've done. To the kids who look up to
me, I'm sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I'm
going to be better," Morant said in a statement reported by
ESPN.
"To all of my sponsors, I'm going to be a better representation
of our brands. And to all of my fans, I'm going to make it up to
you, I promise.
"I'm spending the off-season 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... I'm
so sorry I won't be out there with you (team mates) at the
beginning of the season."
The suspension was effectively immediately and remains in effect
through the first 25 games of the 2023-24 NBA regular season.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New YorkEditing by Christian
Radnedge)
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