Adam Silver: A Suspension Decision For Ja Morant Has Been Made

Ja Morant is facing some harsh NBA discipline for his latest gun incident. And a decision on the severity of the suspension and any other punitive actions has been made. But as the NBA Finals get underway, commissioner Adam Silver says he doesn't want to take away from the league's feature attraction, so he'll be announcing it after they crown a champion. 

Adam Silver says the NBA and Players Association has already decided on Ja Morant’s suspension, but said it would be unfair to announce it now during the NBA Finals.

Silver says expect Morant’s punishment to be announced shortly after the NBA Finals.

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“We’ve uncovered a fair amount of additional information," said Silver in his pre-Finals Game 1 address. "We probably could have brought it to a head now, but we’ve made the decision that it would be unfair to these players and these teams to announce that decision in the middle of this series.” 

Morant was already suspended once during the past season for his flashing of a gun on an Instagram Live video feed. He sat out eight games. But after apologizing and claiming that he'd learned his lesson and is "in a good place," he found himself in a ... bad place  last month, once again flashing a gun on Instagram Live. 

The Grizzlies immediately suspended him from all team activities (even though they were already eliminated from the playoffs), and since then the NBA has been conducting their own investigation. 

More Adam Silver on Ja Morant: “I don’t think we yet know what it will take to change his behavior.” He emphasizes the need for Morant, Grizzlies and people around him to “create better circumstances” moving forward.

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Silver admitted that “I don’t think we yet know what it will take to change his behavior,” but added that Morant clearly needs the Grizzlies and other people around him to “create better circumstances” for him moving forward. 

We should know by the middle of the month (or sooner if there's a four or five-game Finals) how much of next season Morant will be forced to sit out. 

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports