Adam Silver had announced that the verdict would wait until the end of the Finals and he stuck to it. Finally, the to commission decided and, after reflection, in agreement with his advisers, he decided to inflict no less than 25 games of suspension to Ja Morant ! He will obviously serve them at the start of the 2023/24 season and his return to play will depend on certain conditions imposed by the league.
“Ja Morant’s decision to brandish a gun again on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he had already been suspended eight games,” reacted Adam Silver. “The possibility that other young people will imitate Ja’s conduct is of particular concern. Under these circumstances, we believe a 25-game suspension is appropriate and makes it clear that engaging in reckless actions and irresponsible behavior with firearms will not be tolerated. For Ja, basketball has to take a back seat right now. Prior to his return to play, he will be required to complete a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior. »
A very disappointing recurrence
Already suspended 8 games in March for filming himself with a gun in a strip club in Colorado (no charge retained), the leader of the Grizzlies This time he received a heavier sanction and it is not a surprise, since he reoffended despite going through a psychological support centre.
Once again seen with a gun on Instagram in May, as a passenger in a car, the double All-Star said he was aware of having disappointed the world, and in particular Adam Silver, who had received him in his offices after the first incident in March.
Ja Morant will not be eligible for the various end-of-season trophies
In mid-March, Ja Morant assured however that he would now be smarter and more responsible, even promising to grow, while the Grizzlies considered his various escapades as proof of immaturity. Supported by his teammates and his franchise, but also by Kyrie Irving, Udonis Haslem or even Tony Allen, the “redemption” of the 23-year-old player only lasted a few weeks and he therefore failed to turn the page completely as hoped.
A first stop for Memphis, who will have to compose without his “franchise player” until December… assuming, of course, that he meets the conditions set for his return. In addition, this suspension should prevent him from being eligible for end-of-season trophies since the NBA wishes to impose a minimum number of games to be played. This number would be 65 matches, and at best, Morant will only be able to play 57 matches, coming out of his suspension.
| Ja Morant | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2019-20 | SAME | 67 | 31 | 47.7 | 33.5 | 77.6 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 7.3 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 17.8 |
| 2020-21 | SAME | 63 | 33 | 44.9 | 30.3 | 72.8 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 7.4 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 19.1 |
| 2021-22 | SAME | 57 | 33 | 49.3 | 34.4 | 76.1 | 1.4 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 27.4 |
| 2022-23 | SAME | 61 | 32 | 46.6 | 30.7 | 74.8 | 1.0 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 8.1 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 26.2 |
| Total | 248 | 32 | 47.2 | 32.1 | 75.3 | 1.0 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 7.4 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 22.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
