Why is Ja Morant Not Playing Today? How Long is Ja Morant Suspension ESPN?
by Priyanka P
Updated Oct 26, 2023
Why is Ja Morant Not Playing Today?
Ja Morant is not playing today because he is serving a suspension. He got suspended by the NBA for 25 games. This happened because he did something that the NBA thought was bad for the league. He was in an Instagram Live video where he showed a gun on May 14. This was the second time he got suspended in the same year. The first time was in March when he did a similar thing with a gun on Instagram Live in a club.
During this suspension, he can practice with his team, go to meetings, and travel with them, but he can't be in the arena two hours before a game.He will be able to play again on December 19, 2023, against the New Orleans Pelicans. The first game at home where he can play will be on December 21 against the Indiana Pacers.
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How Long is Ja Morant Suspension ESPN?
Ja Morant's suspension, as reported by ESPN, is for 25 games. This suspension was announced by the NBA for the 2023-24 season due to his actions. In March, Morant was suspended for eight games after he was seen on an Instagram Live video with a gun in a Denver nightclub. Later, he was involved in another incident with a firearm in a car.
The NBA deemed this behavior detrimental to the league and decided to suspend him for a longer period. The league's decision was based on the belief that Morant's actions were reckless and negatively affected the NBA's image, particularly as he was a role model to young fans.
The suspension means Morant will miss a significant portion of the season, and he'll have to complete a counseling program and meet certain conditions set by the league before he can return.
Who is Ja Morant?
Ja Morant, whose full name is Temetrius Jamel Morant, is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Memphis Grizzlies in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina. Despite not being highly recruited by big college basketball programs, Morant made a significant impact at Murray State University during his college years.
He gained national recognition for his exceptional skills, especially in his sophomore season, where he achieved multiple triple-doubles and was named OVC Player of the Year. Morant's impressive college performance led to him being selected as the second overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2019 NBA Draft.
He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020 and has continued to excel in the NBA, earning All-Star selections and awards like the NBA Most Improved Player. Known for his explosive athleticism and playmaking abilities, Ja Morant is one of the rising stars in the basketball world.
Full Name
Temetrius Jamel "Ja" Morant
Date of Birth
August 10, 1999
Place of Birth
Dalzell, South Carolina
NBA Team
Memphis Grizzlies
NBA Debut
2019
Position
Point Guard
College
Murray State University
Ja Morant Early Life
Ja Morant, whose full name is Temetrius Jamel "Ja" Morant, was born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina. His parents are Tee and Jamie Morant. Interestingly, his mother, Jamie, used to be a high school point guard and a college softball player, while his father once played basketball alongside NBA legend Ray Allen during high school and also played for Claflin University.
Morant's father, Tee, initially pursued a semi-professional basketball career but shifted to being a barber when he learned he was going to become a father. Ja Morant was introduced to basketball by his father and practiced diligently in their backyard. Even at a young age, he faced older opponents, showing his determination and fearlessness. He played in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit alongside future NBA star Zion Williamson.
Morant attended Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina, where he excelled in basketball. He left high school as a three-time All-Region Most Valuable Player (MVP), and he couldn't even dunk until his senior year. Despite not being highly recruited, he went on to make a name for himself in college basketball and eventually became a rising star in the NBA.
Ja Morant Career
Ja Morant is a professional basketball player who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. His career began in college, where he played for the Murray State Racers. Even though he wasn't highly recruited by top colleges, Morant made a significant impact during his college years.
In his freshman season, he earned first-team all-conference honors, and in his sophomore year, he had a breakout season, becoming the first player in NCAA history to average over 20 points and 10 assists per game in a single season. Morant's outstanding performances garnered him attention from NBA scouts.
In the 2019 NBA Draft, he was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies as the second overall pick. He quickly made a name for himself in the NBA, winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2020. Morant's career has been on a rapid rise, and he has become one of the league's young stars, earning All-Star and Most Improved Player honors.
Ja Morant Stats
2019–20
Memphis
67
67
2020–21
Memphis
63
63
2021–22
Memphis
57
57
2022–23
Memphis
61
59
Year
Team
GP
GS
Why is Ja Morant Not Playing Today? - FAQs
Ja Morant is serving a 25-game suspension, which prevents him from playing today, due to incidents involving the display of firearms on Instagram Live.
Ja Morant is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA.
Ja Morant is serving a 25-game suspension because he was involved in incidents where he displayed firearms on Instagram Live, which the NBA deemed as reckless behavior.
Ja Morant's suspension is set to conclude on December 19, 2023, and he will be eligible to play in NBA games after that date.
Ja Morant's basketball journey began in high school, where he excelled despite limited recruiting attention, eventually leading him to Murray State University.
While serving his suspension, Ja Morant can participate in team practices, meetings, and travel but is restricted from being in the arena two hours before games.