The NBA has announced that Ja Morant has been fined after a gun scandal at a nightclub

the novel of Ja Morant Added a new chapter. Shortly after learning that the player had left the “counseling program” in Florida, which he entered about ten days ago; THE NBA released the results of the investigation into the incident involving the point guard at a Denver nightclub in the early morning of March 5. And he has announced that he will impose a “suspension of eight gameswithout salary, for conduct harmful to the League”, as denounced by ESPN.

The punishment includes the five games he’s already missed due to his own team’s penalty – against the Clippers, Lakers, Golden State and two against Dallas – as well as this Wednesday against Miami, Friday against Spurs and Saturday’s match against the Warriors. He would be eligible for next Monday’s duel against the Mavericks. But since he will not be able to rejoin the team until then and the point guard did not train or play during his time in Florida, he will return to practice that day and play again a few games later.

Just before announcing that decision, Adrian Wojnarowskian ESPN reporter specializing in the NBA, he said Chirping that Morant left the “counseling program,” which he entered with the goal of “getting help and working on learning better ways to deal with stress and my general well-being,” and met Adam SilverAmerican League Commissioner.

The scandal surrounding Morant broke out in the early hours of Sunday 5 March, when, after the game Memphis lost against Denver as a visitor, the player made an Instagram live broadcast from a nightclub in that city, while holding a firearm.

As reported by New York Post, the player had already visited that place a few days before. After the match his team beat him at home houston on March 2 he had arrived at the club with a friend and two security guards. He paid $900 to book the VIP space for three hours.

Video captures from a security camera accessed by the New York outlet show Morant sitting in an armchair, with a stripper in her underwear dancing on her lap. The entire place is filled with dollar bills that act as a mattress and which then became the tip of local employees.

Morant returned a few days later when he shared that video showing off the weapon on his Instagram account. Glendale Police said it had investigated the incident but determined there was not enough evidence to charge him with a crime.

However, after the rain of criticism that these images have generated, Memphis suspended him – first for two games, then for another four – and the NBA has opened its investigations, with the idea of ​​finding out if the player had worn the weapon at the locker room or ballroom of a team’s facilities, which could have cost him a far more substantial penalty than the one he received. And Morant apologized.

“I take full responsibility for my actions. I apologize to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, associates, the city of Memphis and the entire franchise,” the player said the day after the controversial episode. “I will take the time to get help and work on better ways to manage stress and my overall well-being.”

According to Grizzlies sources inside ESPN, shortly after that statement, the player entered the program at Florida; even if that news was only known a couple of days ago.

From Memphis, they supported his decision. “We love him and want the best for him. It will be a difficult process, but we have a great team to overcome him,” said the coach. Taylor Jenkins. “We will go day by day. This will be a daily healing process. Ja is fully committed to this process and will take time to improve himself so he can be better for our team.”

Though not all of Morant’s “associates” came out to support him. A few days after that Instagram broadcast that sparked the scandal, the Coca Cola company, owner of powerade, decided to suspend an advertising campaign for the energy drink starring the base, which had been billed as “the biggest marketing move in its history”. And he removed all ads featuring the Memphis star from television, social media, and other media.

There were even versions claiming that Morant would have lost Nikewith whom he has had an endorsement deal since 2019. However, the sportswear giant released a statement showing its support for the player: “We appreciate Ja’s responsibility and the fact that he is taking the time to get the help they need. Let’s support their priority of their well-being “.