Ja Morant Addresses Gun Video in First Interview Since Suspension

The Memphis star spoke publicly about the situation for the first time.

Grizzlies star Ja Morant claims that a gun seen in a recent video he posted to Instagram Live was not his.

During a sit-down with ESPN’s Jalen Rose, Morant’s first interview since Memphis announced he’d be taking some time away from the team, the 23-year-old opened up in regard to the situation that occurred in Colorado and how he’s dealing with things in the aftermath.

“The gun wasn’t mine,” Morant told Rose in the interview, which is set to air in full during SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt on Wednesday night. “It’s not who I am. I don’t condone any type of violence. But I take full responsibility for my actions. I made a bad mistake.”

Morant went on to mention that he’s since spoken to several therapists and has been practicing “anxiety breathing” in order to help improve his mental health. 

“Personally, I feel mentally good where I haven’t been in many years,” Morant told Rose. 

The NBA suspended the Grizzlies point guard for eight games Wednesday for conduct detrimental to the league. He’s already served six games of the suspension while away from the team over the better part of two weeks. 

His next chance to play would come during Memphis’s game against the Mavericks on Monday. However, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins already has indicated that Morant is not expected to play in that game, via Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.

It’s unclear when the Grizzlies star will suit up next, despite being eligible to return Monday. In a scheduling quirk, Memphis subsequently will play host to the Rockets in consecutive games on March 22 and March 24.