How can Ja Morant be punished if assault allegations against him are proven true? Taking a closer look at course of action
Ja Morant has been one of the most controversial NBA players of the 2022-23 season. He's been involved in several incidents in the span of a few months and might be facing serious consequences.
The Memphis Grizzlies superstar is being accused of beating up a 17-year-old boy and pointing a gun at him. If these assault allegations turn out to be true, Morant could receive harsh punishment.
This is the second time that the Grizzlies guard may have pointed a firearm at someone.
Ja Morant could face serious consequences if proven guilty
Morant is a fantastic basketball player, but he's far from being a role model. The former Rookie of the Year reportedly assaulted a teenage boy and pointed a gun at him, according to a Washington Post story.
If Morant is found guilty, he may be jailed for a couple of months. Pointing a gun at someone is considered a Class A1 misdemeanor and could result in jail time, regardless of whether the offender has a previous record.
Furthermore, the teenage boy who was allegedly beaten by the Memphis Grizzlies star claimed that Morant hit him with a closed fist and knocked him to the ground. These are serious assault allegations that could ruin Morant's reputation.
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Considering that Morant is one of the most talented NBA players, he will most likely avoid harsher penalties, even if he is proven guilty. However, the city of Memphis may decide to make an example out of him as it recently began prioritizing gun safety.
It's important to note that the investigation will probably take at least a few weeks, or even a couple of months. Ja Morant has not be charged with anything.
However, if he is proven guilty, the two-time All-Star could also be disciplined by his team or the NBA.
Morant was involved in another incident
Earlier this season, the Memphis Grizzlies matched up against the Indiana Pacers. Ja Morant was fantastic, finishing the game with a triple-double and leading his team to a huge victory.
After the game, the Pacers claimed that a laser was pointed at them from a vehicle that was carrying the Grizzlies superstar. The team even believed that the laser was attached to a gun.
Ja Morant addressed a reported postgame confrontation between Pacers players and his friends:
"All that stuff, pretty much false. It's been proven. That's all I've got to say on it."
"I'm protecting my energy. Not responding to nobody else. Not entertaining nobody else." https://t.co/fRbcnKok8D
The NBA conducted an investigation and found that no firearms were involved in the incident. However, this behavior was unacceptable for Morant.
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As a result, Morant's friend was banned from attending games at FedEx Forum, the home of the Grizzlies, for a year, but the point guard faced no sanctions.