NBA commissioner Adam Silver told reporters before Game 1 of the Finals between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets that he will wait to announce Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant's punishment for flashing a gun for a second time.
"We uncovered a fair amount of additional information since I was asked about the situation," Silver said Thursday. "I would say we probably could have brought it to a head now, but we made a decision - and I believe the players' association agrees with us - that it would be unfair to these players and these teams in the middle of the series to announce the results of that investigation. And given that he has now been suspended by the Memphis Grizzlies indefinitely, and so nothing would've changed in the next few weeks, it seemed better to park that at the moment, at least any public announcement.
"My sense now is that shortly after the conclusion of the Finals, we will announce the outcome of that investigation."
Morant has been suspended from all offseason activities after he was shown on another IG live video holding a gun. The All-Star was previously suspended in March after he was seen holding up a handgun while intoxicated at a Denver nightclub.
"Maybe by definition to the extent that we've all seen the video that it appears he's done it again, I guess you could say maybe not," Silver said. "Maybe, but I don't think we know yet what it will take to change his behavior. . It's not just about the discipline. It's about how the players' association, his team and the people around him are going to [need to] create better circumstances going forward."
Morant signed a five-year, $194.3 million designated rookie contract extension with Memphis in July 2022. He averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 8.1 assists this season while shooting 46.6% from the field, 30.7% from beyond the arc and 74.8% from the free-throw line.
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