Watch: Ja Morant allegedly seen flaunting a gun on Instagram Live
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant could be in trouble again for seemingly showing off a handgun on a recent Instagram live video.
JaMorant https://t.co/XqJFwEOHTj
Morant can be seen holding a gun at the 0:14 mark. The individual sitting in the driver's seat, who was also recording the video, immediately turned the camera away from Morant after he displayed the gun.
However, the damage had already been done.
The point guard was suspended for a similar incident in March. After the Grizzlies' 113-97 road loss to the Denver Nuggets, Morant went live on Instagram and displayed a handgun in a nightclub.
The NBA and the Grizzlies took action against the former No. 2 pick. He was suspended for eight games without pay, citing “conduct detrimental to the league."
During an interview with ESPN a few days later, Morant apologized for his actions and said he didn't own the gun in question.
“It’s not who I am,” Morant 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 that image I painted over myself with my recent mistakes, but in the future, I’ll make sure everybody knows who Ja really is, and what I’m about and change this narrative.”
The Memphis Grizzlies star may have assured most people with his words, but this latest video could further damage his reputation.
Ja Morant's image continues to take a hit
Ja Morant was expected to become the future face of the league following his meteoric rise last season. He played himself into MVP contention, averaging 27/6/7 and leading the Memphis Grizzlies to the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference. He won the Most Improved Player of the Year and made his All-Star debut.
Morant's following online also grew. He was headed towards becoming one of the most influential players, with plenty of young hoopers idolizing him for his remarkable abilities on the court.
However, the 23-year-old hasn't been able to avoid trouble off the court. It all started during the offseason when Morant allegedly punched a teenager during a pickup game. Things took a turn for the worse when he was seen flaunting a gun on Instagram.
Despite Morant continuing his fine run on the court, averaging 26/6/8 and the Grizzlies finishing second again, the headlines surrounding the guard were about the gun video and the offseason incident.
Morant's career could be severely impacted by his actions. His last suspension was only for eight games, but he could be banned for a much longer period this time around.
The NBA has previously suspended players for 50+ games, so it won't be surprising if they do so again. He is a prominent player, and it's not a good look if he repeatedly violates policies.