Grizzlies Star Ja Morant Under Police Investigation After Flashing Gun in Instagram
After Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant filmed himself on Instagram brandishing a gun inside a nightclub on Saturday, Colorado police said Monday that they are investigating Morant's conduct.
The Glendale Police Department reported that the incident occurred at a pub in Glendale, an Arapahoe County enclave inside Denver known for its strip clubs and shopping centers.
According to ESPN, police are looking into whether Morant broke any gun laws. A source told the outlet that the incident happened at Shotgun Willie's.
There are certain restrictions to the open-carry law in Colorado, such as carrying a firearm on federal property and while under the influence of alcohol.
Per NBA regulations, a player is not allowed to possess a firearm while on team property or team business travel. In Morant's Instagram live video, it was unclear if the Grizzlies star was intoxicated, but others were seen drinking.
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Ja Morant Got Slammed for Gun Celebration Amid Scandal
The Colorado incident happened days after Ja Morant drew backlash over a finger-gun celebration.
During a game against the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, Grizzlies' Desmond Bane drained a three-pointer in front of the team's bench, and Morant got hyped up by the shot and celebrated by pretending to shoot a gun at Bane.
Fans let their thoughts known on Twitter. Many expressed their disappointment at Morant, whom many see as one of the league's rising stars, especially with the Memphis Grizzlies possibly making the playoffs again this year.
The backlash stemmed from Morant's actions last summer when he punched a 17-year-old boy during a basketball game in his home after the teen allegedly threw a ball at him.
That led to Morant going home but returning with a gun in his waistband to threaten the boy. However, Morant alleged that the teen threatened to "come back and light this place up like fireworks."
The teenager has sued Morant, though the basketball star says he did it in self-defense. He told detectives that while he was the one who swung first, the boy was the one who hit first when he threw the ball at the NBA star.
However, the teen noted that he only accidentally threw the ball squarely on Morant's face while arguing. The boy was attacked not just by Morant but also one of the basketball star's friends.
Ja Morant Is Out of Memphis Grizzlies Indefinitely
The Memphis Grizzlies have set no timeline for Ja Morant's return. The All-Star guard recognizes that he has made some difficult decisions and poor choices for which he must take responsibility, coach Taylor Jenkins said on Sunday night.
While the NBA is investigating a social media photo in which Morant seemed to be brandishing a pistol, the Grizzlies star did not go to Los Angeles with the team for games against the Clippers on Sunday and the Lakers on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.
"Very tough moment, for sure," Jenkins noted. Morant's Instagram live video was streamed early Saturday morning, just hours after playing in Denver.
In a statement through the agency representing him, Morant said he takes "full responsibility" for his actions and was going to "take some time away to get help."
"He's definitely embracing the mistakes that he's made, but only time will tell,.. We're going to support him and we're going to hold him accountable to make those changes," Jenkins noted.
He said the team loves Morant and wants what is best for him, but he declined to specify what Morant must do to join the team again.
He added that it would be challenging, but luckily, they have a fantastic team behind them. The coach described it as "an ongoing healing process."
The NBA could punish or suspend Ja Morant if the league finds wrongdoing.
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Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: Ja Morant Under Investigation by Colorado Police for IG Live Incident - From NBA on ESPN