Ja Morant: Memphis Grizzlies star to "take time away" as NBA investigates gun video
An NBA investigation into a video of Ja Morant holding a gun comes following a report in the Washington Post that he engaged in a fight with a 17-year-old last summer; Morant is set to miss at least two games, the Memphis Grizzlies said on Saturday
Saturday 4 March 2023 21:42, UK
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has issued an apology and says he is taking "time away to get help" after he was seen appearing to hold a gun in a video posted to his Instagram page.
NBA spokesman Mike Bass said on Saturday the league was aware of the post and would be investigating the issue, before the Grizzlies confirmed Morant would miss at least two games.
"I take full responsibility for my actions last night," Morant wrote in a statement. "I'm sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire Grizzlies organisation 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."
Should his absence stay at two games, the earliest Morant could play again is Thursday at home against the Golden State Warriors.
It comes during a week that has already seen a Washington Post report link Morant to an alleged fight with a 17-year-old and alleged threats against a mall security guard.
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Charges were not brought in either of those separate incidents last summer, according to Shelby County (Tenn.) police records obtained by the Post.
In the first incident, the Post reported that a 17-year-old claimed to have been punched at least 12 times by Morant during a pick-up game at Morant's house on July 26.
It began when the two got into a verbal altercation that became heated, resulting in the teen hitting Morant in the face with the basketball, which he later claimed was accidental.
The teenager told police that Morant emerged from his house with his hand on a gun visible on his waistband.
Morant told police that he punched the teen but that the latter was the aggressor, per the Post report.
A Shelby County district attorney's spokesman told the Post that there was "not enough evidence" to bring charges on either Morant or the teenager.
In the second incident noted in the Post report, a mall security guard claimed to have been pushed in the head by members of Morant's entourage in the parking lot after asking them to leave.
That incident reportedly began when Morant's mother got into a dispute with a store employee inside the mall.
Morant is averaging 27.1 points, 8.2 assists and 6.0 rebounds in 53 games (all starts) this season. He was named to his second straight All-Star Game.
