The Grizzlies Guard Claim, He accepts “Full Accountability” After Seeing the Second Ja Morant Gun Footage

Adam Silver declared himself “shocked” by the actions of the Memphis Grizzlies guard three days after a second video of Ja Morant brandishing a pistol appeared on social media.

The NBA commissioner addressed the circumstance in an interview with ESPN on Tuesday as part of the network’s coverage of the league’s draught lottery. After Morant initially displayed a pistol in a viral video aired in March, Silver reportedly spoke with Morant “directly about the consequences” in an interview with Malika Andrews.

The combination of that incident and further ones resulted in a leave of absence for Morant and, ultimately, an eight-game suspension without pay. Silver said the Grizzlies guard took the matter seriously based on their earlier conversation with Morant. He said the second gun footage aired Saturday night “shocked” him.

In addition to the example Morant is setting for “millions, if not tens of millions of kids,” Silver mentioned discussing “safety issues” with Morant and that he might have hurt or killed someone. He continued that the league is looking into the latest footage, but “I’m assuming the worst.”

Related: Grizzlies’ Player Ja Morant  Suspended after Displaying a Pistol in An Instagram Live Video Again

On Sunday, the NBA said that Morant “is suspended from all activities pending league review.” A day later, an Instagram Live video showing Morant displaying a pistol from the passenger seat of a vehicle appeared, and the news was made. At the 13-second point in the video below, you can see Morant holding the pistol in his left hand momentarily.

Morant made his first public remark since the Sunday video appeared after Silver’s interview, which was a written statement.

“I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me,” the statement read. “This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself.”

Ja Morant

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