Breaking: Ja Morant Slapped With Suspension By NBA

The NBA has laid down the law on Ja Morant, sending him a clear message that his recent behavior won't be tolerated. Adam Silver has slapped the Memphis Grizzlies star with an eight-game suspension.

The NBA is suspending Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant for eight games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 15, 2023

Morant met with the commissioner in New York earlier in the day, after leaving his counselling program in Florida. 

The suspension is eight games without pay "for conduct detrimental to the league." Morant flashed a gun on his own Instagram Live feed from a Denver nightclub back on March 4th.

NBA on Ja Morant: “Based on the information obtained during the investigation, the league 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… https://t.co/p2e44DajNK

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 15, 2023

In its statement, the league wrote, “Based on the information obtained during the investigation, the league 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, and the Colorado authorities did not find sufficient cause to charge Morant with a crime.”

The Grizzlies guard has already served five games away from the team which will count towards the suspension, so after sitting out three more, he will be eligible to return on March 20th. Head Taylor Jenkins, however, says that Ja will not be available to play that night.

According to Adrian Wojnarowksi, his return might take a bit longer, as Morant hadn't been playing basketball while at the counseling center, so his ramp-up is expected to extend into next week.

Woj says it's expected that he'll return to play shortly thereafter.

Photo: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports