Ja Morant Suspended by Grizzlies After Flashing Gun, Police Decline to Charge Him (UPDATE)

UPDATED 3/8/23, 4:10 p.m. ET: The Glendale Police Department has closed its investigation into Ja Morant. No charges will be filed against the NBA star.

UPDATED 3/6/23, 3:20 p.m. ET: Following his suspension for flashing an apparent gun during an Instagram video, Colorado police are now reportedly investigating Ja Morant.

As reported by the Associated Press, police in Colorado confirmed they’re investigating the Instagram Live video, which is believed to have been taken at a strip club or nightclub in Glendale, Colorado. Capt. Jamie Dillion said there have been no calls or complaints made about the incident, but launched an investigation to see if he broke any laws after the video began circulating online. 

There’s currently no timetable for when Morant is expected to return to the Grizzlies, and coach Taylor Jenkins has described the situation as “very tough.” 

“He’s definitely embracing the mistakes that he’s made, but only time will tell,” Jenkins said on Sunday. “We’re going to support him and we’re going to hold him accountable to make those changes. … “We love him, we want what’s best for him, we support him. It’s going to be a difficult process but we’ve got a great group to get through this.” 

See original story below.

The Memphis Grizzlies have suspended Ja Morant for “at least” two games, after the All-Star guard posted an Instagram video in which he appeared to be brandishing a gun at a strip club. 

Memphis took to Twitter Saturday afternoon to release an official statement regarding Morant’s suspension, announcing that Ja will be “away from the team for at least the next two games.”

Morant, who in the past month has been linked to multiple allegations of violent and threatening behavior, landed himself in hot water with the NBA on Saturday after the clip went viral. 

An NBA spokesperson subsequently confirmed that the league was looking into the situation. “We are aware of a social media post involving Ja Morant and are investigating,” the source told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Hours after his suspension was made official, Morant shared a statement about the situation, saying he plans on taking time away from the team to “get help” and find methods to manage his stress and “overall well-being.”

“I take full responsibility for my actions last night,” Morant said. “I’m sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire Grizzlies organization 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.”

The news arrives just days after the Washington Post published an extensive report detailing the recent off-the-court drama involving Morant. 

Per the police report, which refers to the same lawsuit Ja was hit with in January, Morant has been accused of punching a 17-year-old repeatedly in the head during a pick-up basketball game at his Memphis home in July 2022. Morant was also accused of threatening a head of security at a Memphis mall after his mother got into a dispute with an employee at a Finish Line store. 

Meanwhile, back in February, Indiana Pacers staff members accused associates of Morant of pointing a red laser, which witnesses claim was attached to a gun, at them following a post-game confrontation in January. It’s unclear whether Ja was in the vehicle at the time of the incident.

Morant subsequently downplayed the accusations in a post on Twitter, writing, “Did an investigation seen they were cappin’. Still let an article come out to paint this negative image on me & my fam & banned my brother from home games or a year.”