NBA commissioner Adam Silver plans to ‘check in’ with suspended Grizzlies star Ja Morant as he returns from 25-game ban for flashing gun in video: ‘I’m the monitoring situation closely’

Ja Morant can expect to chat with Adam Silver in the coming days as he prepares to return from a 25-game suspension for showing off a gun in a viral video.

Speaking to reporters at the season opener in Las Vegas, the NBA commissioner said he would personally “reach out” to the Memphis Grizzlies guard in the coming week.

“Yes, I’ve been keeping a close eye on the situation and him,” Silver said Saturday. “Actually, Jah and I are going to register this week.”

“But the people at the league office, along with Jha, his team and the Players Association, are in regular contact, essentially on a weekly basis. There were such checkpoints.

Silver emphasized that Morant lived up to expectations during his suspension.

“We worked together to put together a program for him over the last few weeks, and as far as I’m concerned, he’s done everything he’s been asked to do,” Silver said. “Like I said, we’ll talk at least once this week before he comes back and we’ll look at the program and make sure the conditions are in place for him to be successful in the future.”

Ja Morant can expect to chat with Adam Silver (pictured) in the coming days.

Morant (pictured), an NBA All-Star, is set to return from his second suspension for the shooting.

The earliest Morant can play is Dec. 19, when the Grizzlies visit New Orleans. This game represents the second half of a back-to-back, and it’s unclear how quickly the Grizzlies will get their franchise player back into the lineup.

Morant was suspended for 25 games after he was seen holding a gun in a video posted online. The video of Morant displaying a gun while sitting in the passenger seat of a car was released after he served an eight-game suspension in March for another video of him displaying a gun at a Denver-area strip club.

Morant apologized on both occasions.

Silver said Morant “did everything he was asked to do” in the return-to-play program that was put in place by the league when the 25-game suspension was imposed.

Meanwhile, Morant faces charges of assaulting a teenager during a basketball game at the NBA star’s home in July 2022.

Morant’s second shooting incident (pictured) led to the All-Star’s 25-game suspension.

In November, a judge ruled that Morant’s lawyers could argue he acted in self-defense in a lawsuit accusing him of assaulting a teenager.

District Court Judge Carol Chumney has scheduled a hearing for Monday when lawyers for Morant and 18-year-old Joshua Holloway will discuss whether Morant is protected from liability under Tennessee law for punching Holloway during a game at the All-Star player’s home in Memphis. in July 2022.

Morant’s lawyers admitted that he hit Holloway once after Holloway threw a basketball at Morant and the ball hit Morant on the chin. In a July 26 motion, the player’s attorneys said he should be released from liability under the state’s “stand your ground” law, which allows people who feel threatened in their homes to use force in certain situations.

The law is used in criminal cases, but Chumney’s decision gives Morant’s lawyers the opportunity to apply it in the civil case and try to dismiss the lawsuit.

Morant’s accuser was 17 years old when the lawsuit was filed. He charges Morant and his friend Davonte Park with assault, reckless endangerment, abuse or neglect, and infliction of emotional distress. The amended complaint names Holloway as the plaintiff.

Morant countersued, accusing Holloway of defamation, battery and assault. No criminal charges were filed against Morant. Park is charged with assault and has a hearing scheduled for Nov. 21 in state criminal court.

The suit has led to complex legal disputes, including disagreements over whether the state’s “stand your ground” law can be used to support Morant.

The Grizzlies are currently 6-15 and in 13th place in the Western Conference.