CNN
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been suspended by the NBA for eight games without pay for “conduct detrimental to the league,” officials announced Wednesday.
The punishment follows an incident where Morant was seen in an Instagram Live video holding a gun at a nightclub outside Denver.
The league said an investigation “did not conclude that the gun at issue belonged to Morant, was brought by him into the nightclub or was displayed by him beyond a brief period. The investigation also did not find that Morant possessed the gun while traveling with the team or in any NBA facility.”
The suspension includes the five games Morant has already missed since the incident and Memphis’ games on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
He will be eligible to play Monday in a home game against the Dallas Mavericks.
Morant met Wednesday with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous,” Silver said in a statement. “It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him.
“He has expressed sincere contrition and remorse for his behavior. Ja has also made it clear to me that he has learned from this incident and that he understands his obligations and responsibility to the Memphis Grizzlies and the broader NBA community extend well beyond his play on the court.”
Earlier this month, the police department in Glendale, Colorado, a suburb of Denver, said the agency would not recommend charges against Morant.
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the number of games Ja Morant has missed.
Source : CNN
