Ja Morant Suspension Length Revealed

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Memphis Grizzlies v Los Angeles Lakers - Game Six
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 28: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies warms up before play against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

It's good news for the embattled Grizzlies star.

As soon as the NBA Finals ended, attention turned to Memphis. Ja Morant had been suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies since May 14 after he flashed a gun on Instagram Live. It was the second time that Morant had done this, earning an eight-game suspension in March after the first incident. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver appeared to imply that the league would be coming down hard on Morant. After revealing that Morant's punishment would be issued after the Finals, Silver gave a hardline response about the incident.

Amid the support and condemnation of Morant and his actions, there was much debate about how long he would be suspended. The first concrete indication came from Morant's team. While claiming that the gun was fake, Morant's team said that they still expected a suspension of around 30 games. This was a prediction echoed by a number of NBA pundits. Furthermore, many people lobbied the NBA to be lenient on Morant. They argued that harsher punishment would not mean the underlying issues went away. However, we now know how much time Morant will miss.

How Long Is Ja Morant's Suspension?

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Ja Morant will be suspended for 25 games during the 2023-24 NBA season. Around three times the length of his suspension in March, the revealed punishment is in line with most expectations for his punishment. However, this means that the Grizzlies will likely be without Morant until early December.

While the punishment is certainly impactful, it could have been far worse for Morant and the Grizzlies. However, it's clear that Adam Silver, despite his vocal bravado about gun safety, is unwilling to remove one of the league's biggest names. While it pales in comparison to other punishments the NBA has handed in the past, it's on par with contemporary suspensions given out by the league. Miles Bridges was given a 30-game suspension in April 2023 after pleading no contest to felony domestic assault charges. Morant has since issued a statement, apologizing for his behavior and promising to do better. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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About The Author
Ben Mock
Benjamin Mock (they/them) is a sports and culture writer working out of Philadelphia. Previously writing for the likes of Fixture, Dexerto, Fragster, and Jaxon, Ben has dedicated themselves to engaging and accessible articles about sports, esports, and internet culture. With a love for the weirder stories, you never quite know what to expect from their work.
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