Memphis Grizzlies superstar guard Ja Morant will be away from the team for the next two games at least, the team announced on Saturday.
The decision came shortly after it was revealed that the NBA is investigating a post that was circulating on social media on Saturday in which Morant is seen appearing to brandish a gun at a club.
The clip, shot hours after Morant and his Grizzlies lost 113-97 to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, is the latest in a string of controversies involving the high-flying phenom, who was the 2019-2020 NBA Rookie of the Year.
Morant deleted his Twitter and Instagram accounts shortly after the team announced he will be away from the organization for “at least” two games.
Morant provided a statement to ESPN:
“I take full responsibility for my actions last night. 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.”
The video comes just days after it was revealed Morant was involved in a physical altercation with a teenager and allegedly showed the 17-year-old a gun. Morant said he was acting in self-defense because the teenager said he would “light Morant’s house up like fireworks.”
Four days prior to that incident, Morant allegedly “threatened” the head of security at a Memphis mall. Despite the new reports, Morant still flashed a gun celebration during Thursday night’s game.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. Photo courtsey of BasketNews
