NBA World Reacts to Latest Ja Morant Suspension

On Sunday, the Grizzlies suspended star point guard Ja Morant after the two-time All-Star was seen holding a gun on an Instagram Live video Saturday. The move marks the second time this year that Morant has been suspended for displaying a gun on video.

“We are aware of the social media video involving Ja Morant,” the Grizzlies said in a statement. “He is suspended from all team activities pending league review. We have no further comment at this time.”

The video from Saturday shows Morant in a vehicle listening to music with friends when the 23-year-old pulls out a gun and points it upward. The camera quickly pans away from Morant after the gun is shown.

Grizzlies star Ja Morant was allegedly seen holding a gun on an IG Live yesterday.pic.twitter.com/bqvwbwgd9m
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 14, 2023

Morant was issued an eight-game suspension after he shared an Instagram Live video of himself holding a gun in a night club in Colorado in March. He eventually returned to play and was active through the end of the regular season and the team’s first-round playoff exit.

Saturday’s video and subsequent suspension prompted strong reactions from the NBA world. Here are some notable responses from key basketball voices.

From March.

Still hoping Ja Morant can figure out whatever is going on. https://t.co/nLz1SomGi7
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 14, 2023

In a country that worships, protects, & fetishizes guns like this one, why are we even surprised that Ja Morant is flashing a piece on IG? It’s tragic as hell to see him spiral, but the political, cultural and legal flooding of this country with guns might be part of this story. https://t.co/a1uA5vWb9r
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) May 14, 2023

Ja Morant ain’t go stop until he’s OUT the League. SMH
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 14, 2023

Ja Morant, after the Grizzlies were eliminated with a 40-point loss to the Lakers: "I've just got to be better with my decision-making. That's pretty much it. Off-the-court issues affected us as an organization pretty much. Just [need] more discipline."
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 14, 2023

i'm also not sure how some can't see the difference between waving a gun around to impress people and simply owning one. this isn't really about a principle. it's about how lil buddy is moving, and it's all bad. i don't see how anyone with any life experience sees it differently.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) May 14, 2023

In light of Ja Morant’s situation here’s the real reason why the NBA suspended Gilbert Arenas for 50 games @GilsArenaShow

Full episode: https://t.co/n9lQsISWV6 pic.twitter.com/0hptXil1fi
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 14, 2023