This has become an unsettling trend for one of the brightest young stars in the NBA.
The league has finally put its foot down in regards to Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, suspending him for at least two games after his latest off-court incident, a social media post where he can be seen brandishing a firearm.
The Grizzlies announced Saturday afternoon that Morant “will be away from the team for at least the next two games,” meaning he will not play Sunday against the LA Clippers or Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers.
This is just the latest in a string of concerning alleged incidents. Earlier this week, a Washington Post story cited police reports that alleged Morant punched a 17-year-old boy multiple times, in an altercation at a pick-up basketball game at his house. In the police report, Morant admitted to throwing the first punch.
Prior to that, the NBA launched an investigation after the Indiana Pacers claimed that an SUV containing Morant, and being driven by a member of his party, trained a red-dot sight at a group of Pacers players and officials following a contentious game between the two teams.
Adding insult to injury, the Grizzlies also lost forward Brandon Clarke for the season due to an Achilles injury.
Memphis is currently second in the Western Conference with a 38-24 record, six games behind the Nuggets for first place.