According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and others, the NBA has suspended Ja Morant for 25 games to start the 2023-24 NBA season, which would put his hypothetical return right before Christmas. Per Woj’s report, the suspension will come with “conditions” for his return.
“For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time,” the NBA stated in a PR report. “Prior to his return to play, he will be required to formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior.”
Further context was provided by the NBA on Twitter. “Morant intentionally and prominently displayed a gun while in a car with several other individuals as they were leaving a social gathering in Memphis…despite having made commitments to the NBA and public statements that he would not repeat the conduct for which he was previously disciplined….he will be ineligible to participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games, during the course of his suspension.”
25 games serves as what many perceived to be the more severe end of reasonable consequences for Morant’s actions. Now, questions will loom as to how the Memphis Grizzlies will proceed throughout the rest of the summer.
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