Ja Morant suspended from team activities after alleged gun video

The announcement comes roughly two months after a similar incident that saw Morant suspended for eight NBA games and about $669,000 in salary when he appeared in a live-streaming video on Instagram holding a firearm at a nightclub.

It was not clear how long the latest suspension would last for the second video, which was widely shared online Sunday. It is also unclear where or when the latest video was filmed in which Morant, sitting on the front seat of a vehicle with another person, briefly appeared to display a handgun.

Suspending Morant from all team activities, Grizzlies said the disciplinary move was pending league review.

“We are aware of the social media post involving Ja Morant and are in the process of gathering more information,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said.

Earlier this season, Morant announced that he was taking time away to seek help following a viral Instagram video in which he appeared holding a gun at a club in the Denver suburbs in early March. Morant did not specified what sort of treatment he was getting. Later, when ESPN reported that he was getting counseling in Florida, the team eventually confirmed but did not share any other details.

While deciding on the suspension’s length after the first viral video in March, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver found his conduct to be irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous. Silver had said it also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him.

In an interview with ESPN during his suspension, Morant took responsibility for the Colorado video and said, “I don’t condone any type of violence.” “But I take full responsibility for my actions. I made a bad mistake and I can see the image that I painted over myself with my recent mistakes. But in the future, I’m going to show everybody who Ja really is, what I’m about and change this narrative.”

And when the season ended a couple weeks ago, Morant said again that he needed to work on his decision-making.

“Being disciplined on both sides, off the court making better decisions and on the court being locked in even more,” Morant said after a season-ending loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. “Being a leader of this team, it pretty much starts with me. … I’ve got to be better in that area.”

This will be at least the third known NBA investigation surrounding Morant and the possible involvement of firearms so far in 2023.