Police in Colorado are investigating Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Ja Morant over an incident in which he allegedly brandished a gun at a nightclub during an Instagram Live post Saturday morning.
Glendale Police captain Jamie Dillon said in an email to USA TODAY Sports that the department confirmed the incident took place at a bar in Glendale and that the department is investigating the matter. Dillon told the Associated Press that Glendale police did not receive any calls to report Morant’s actions, but that the department began looking into the matter after the video circulated online.
ESPN reported that police are investigating whether Morant broke any gun laws.
Glendale is a small municipality southeast of Denver.
The Grizzlies suspended Morant for at least two games for the matter. In Memphis’ first game without him, the Grizzlies fell to the Clippers.
Morant, a two-time All-Star selection in consecutive seasons, is averaging 27.1 points, 8.2 assists and six rebounds per game this season. Morant’s scoring average ties him with Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving for ninth in the league and his assist numbers rank fifth.
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts after scoring a basket during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.
Here’s the latest on the Ja Morant situation.
What is the timeline for Ja Morant’s potential return to the Grizzlies?
Apart from the suspension being at least two games, not much is known about how long Morant will be away from the Grizzlies.
“I mean, there’s not a definitive timeline,” coach Taylor Jenkins said Sunday evening, prior to the team’s 135-129 loss against the Clippers. “We have said it’s going to be at least two games. We’re taking it one day at a time; I mean, this is going to be an ongoing healing process. So I can’t comment on what the exact timetable is going to be because it’s really not a timetable situation.”
The NBA has opened an investigation into the matter and could tack on additional discipline to the initial suspension handed down by the Grizzlies.
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What will Ja Morant need to do to rejoin the Memphis Grizzlies?
That is also unclear. Jenkins on Sunday declined to specify what parameters Morant would need to meet to rejoin his teammates. Morant issued a statement Saturday through the agency that represents him, saying that he takes “full responsibility” for his actions. Morant said in a separate statement that he was going to take time away from basketball “to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being.” Morant then deactivated his Twitter and Instagram accounts.
“We love him,” Jenkins said. “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.”
What did Ja Morant do to get suspended?
Early Saturday morning, Morant began an Instagram Live session from his verified account that showed him dancing and rapping to a song while at a nightclub. During the video, Morant briefly flashed what appeared to be a gun while smiling before continuing to sing. This came hours after Morant racked up a team-high 27 points, 10 assists and two steals in the Grizzlies’ 113-97 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
What other issues has Ja Morant run into while a member of the Grizzlies?
Last week, allegations that Morant punched a teenager during a basketball game in June resurfaced. According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, part of the USA TODAY Network, Morant told officers he struck the teen in self-defense. The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office declined to press charges.
Four days prior, Morant was accused of threatening a security guard at a Memphis mall during an altercation in the parking lot. The guard filed an incident report, saying one person in Morant’s group shoved him in the head. The report alleges that Morant told the security guard, “Let me find out what time he get off.” No charges were filed.
In January, the NBA investigated a report that Morant’s acquaintances confronted members of the Indiana Pacers’ travel party after a Jan. 29 game and pointed a red laser that was believed to be attached to a gun at them. Jenkins said the incident was also “addressed internally” by the team.
What are the next several games the Memphis Grizzilies will play?
March 7 at the Los Angeles Lakers
March 9 versus the Golden State Warriors
March 11 versus the Dallas Mavericks
March 13 at the Dallas Mavericks
March 15 at the Miami Heat
March 17 at the San Antonio Spurs
March 18 versus the Golden State Warriors
March 20 versus the Dallas Mavericks
March 22 versus the Houston Rockets
March 24 versus the Houston Rockets
Who is Ja Morant?
Morant, 23, is in his fourth season with the Grizzlies and is a two-time All-Star and one-time All-NBA selection. Originally the second overall selection in the 2019 NBA draft, Morant won the league’s Rookie of the Year award for the 2019-20 season and then the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2021-22. He starred in his two seasons at Murray State, finishing his sophomore campaign as a finalist for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award.
Morant was born in Dalzell, South Carolina, and gained recognition playing at nearby Crestwood High School. He finished his career there as the program’s all-time leading scorer, with 1,679 points, and he also earned three South Carolina All-State nominations and three All-Region MVP honors.
Contributing: Cydney Henderson
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ja Morant alleged gun incident being investigated by Colorado police
