Video shows Ja Morant using toy gun lighter after second Instagram Live incident
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant filmed himself holding a toy gun on May 14 in an effort to show he did not brandish a real firearm during an Instagram Live video earlier that month which resulted in the NBA suspending him 25 games this upcoming season.
TMZ Sports obtained the footage, Morant identified by the tattoos on his right arm. Morant used the flames that came out of the faux gun to ignite a candle before saying, “You hold it, and everything comes out.” He sent the video to his family and friends after facing questions for a second gun incident in as many months.
Morant, 23, was recorded in the passenger seat of a friend’s car when the camera briefly panned on him. That was enough time to make out the outline of a gun. The video has since been deleted by the original poster, @_dtap2 on Instagram. Screen grabs have kept the video online and it has since made its rounds on social media.
This was the second time in two months Morant found himself in trouble over waving a gun on Instagram Live. Back in March, Morant filmed himself pointing a gun at his camera on Instagram Live in a nightclub in Denver. He ended up stepping away from basketball for a few weeks. Morant also enrolled himself in a Florida counseling program before returning to the court. He was suspended eight games without pay for the incident.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement following Morant’s most recent suspension. It reads in part:
“Ja Morant’s decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March… For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time.”
Ja Morant speaks out after latest suspension
Morant later released a statement in response to the suspension, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
“I’ve had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I’ve caused. I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis,” Morant said. “To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman and Robert Pera — who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and have supported me — I’m sorry for the harm I’ve done. To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I’m going to be better. To all of my sponsors, I’m going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all of my fans, I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.
“I’m spending this offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making. I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court. I know my teammates are going to hold it down and I’m so sorry I won’t be out there with you at the beginning of the season.
“I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing you.”