UPDATE
7:55 PM PT — Ja Morant is speaking out on the backlash he’s facing over his second gun-flashing scandal in two months … owning up to his actions and vowing to do better.
UPDATE
“I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me,” Ja said in a statement on Tuesday. “This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do.”
UPDATE
“My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver is clearly extremely disappointed with Ja Morant … saying he was “shocked” to see the Memphis Grizzlies star once again flashing a firearm on social media.
The commish directly addressed Ja’s latest incident before Tuesday’s NBA Draft lottery on ESPN, telling the network … “Honestly, I was shocked when I saw this weekend — that video. Now, we’re in the process of investigating it.”
ESPN
Silver admits the footage, which appears to show Ja holding a handgun while in a car with his buddy, is grainy … but given Morant’s past, Silver says he’s “assuming the worst.”
5/14/23
Instagram / @_dtap2
The latest video comes just 2 months after Ja was seen holding a pistol on Instagram Live while at a Colorado strip club … an incident that resulted in Morant being suspended 8 games.
Silver says he had a lengthy conversation with Ja after the first incident, with the commish making it clear to Morant why it was such a big deal and why the consequences were so severe.
3/4/23
The commish says Ja seemed to be taking the first incident seriously, which is why he was so shocked to see Morant waving another gun around for the cameras.
The Grizzlies suspended Ja from all activities pending the NBA’s review, and it sounds like Silver will come down even harder on Morant this time.
Stay tuned …