NBA Opening Investigation After Ja Morant’s Concerning Instagram Live
Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is under investigation by the NBA for “a social media post,” according to a Saturday morning statement from NBA spokesman Mike Bass.
In a widely circulated video from his Instagram Live early Saturday morning, Morant appears to be brandishing a gun in a nightclub mere hours after scoring 27 points in Memphis’s 113–97 loss to the Nuggets in Denver.
“We are aware of a social media post involving Ja Morant and are investigating," Bass said.
Jim Tanner, Morant’s agent, released a statement on behalf of the Grizzlies’ star later Saturday afternoon.
“I take full responsibility for my actions last night,” the statement read. “I’m sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire Grizzlies' organization for letting you down. I’m going to take some time away to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being.”
Morant's video came on the heels of a Wednesday afternoon report from The Washington Post that described allegations against the 23-year-old guard, including police reports that he punched a 17-year-old and flashed a gun at him.
On the court, Morant has averaged 27 points, six rebounds and 8.2 assists per game this season for a Grizzlies team in second place in the Western Conference. Memphis’s next scheduled game is Sunday night against the Clippers in Los Angeles.
