{"id":18414,"date":"2023-03-05T16:54:35","date_gmt":"2023-03-05T16:54:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/?p=18414"},"modified":"2023-03-05T16:54:35","modified_gmt":"2023-03-05T16:54:35","slug":"ja-morant-issues-statement-as-nba-investigates-him-for-handling-firearm-inside-colorado-strip-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nbanewsinsider.com\/ja-morant-issues-statement-as-nba-investigates-him-for-handling-firearm-inside-colorado-strip-club\/","title":{"rendered":"Ja Morant issues statement as NBA investigates him for handling firearm inside Colorado strip club"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ja Morant will take a leave of absence from the NBA and Memphis Grizzlies after he appeared to be handling a firearm at a Colorado strip club following his team’s loss to the Denver Nuggets Friday night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Morant issued a statement apologizing for his actions on Saturday and will not play for at least the next two games. \u00a0<\/p>\n
CBS News Colorado confirmed the Grizzlies stayed in Denver after the nationally televised game against the first-place Nuggets. The game was noteworthy as the second-place Grizzlies try and close the gap between the two teams.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Grizzlies confirmed they are aware of the incident and are investigating it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the video, which Morant posted on his Instagram account in the early hours of Saturday morning, the NBA star is seen dancing in a dark room with other men and women. Morant is heard singing along to the song playing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He is then seen briefly holding up what appears to be a real firearm as he continues to sing and dance.<\/p>\n