According to NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports, Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant is likely to face a suspension of 25-30 games after a video in May allegedly showed him holding a gun in a vehicle. The NBA conducted an investigation into the matter, and while the league did not announce the suspension until after the NBA Finals, it was expected that Morant would miss a significant portion of the next season.
Morant’s camp argued to the NBA that the item in his hand was a toy and not an actual gun, but the league’s final ruling was influenced by his history of off-court issues, including a previous eight-game suspension. Goodwill believes that the suspension will be for less than half of the regular season, indicating that it is imminent and may be announced on Thursday or Friday.
If Morant’s suspension is indeed fewer than 30 games, it would not be one of the longest in NBA history. The NBA is likely aiming to minimize the impact of the suspension by announcing it before the upcoming NBA Draft and avoiding coverage over the weekend. During the suspension, Morant will not receive payment, and any further actions following the decision could result in additional disciplinary measures. The initial reports suggested that he could miss half of the regular season, but if the suspension is shorter, it could improve the Grizzlies’ playoff odds.
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