Ja Morant Posts Prompt Welfare Check; Police Say Grizzlies Star is Fine

Several social media posts from Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant left his fans concerned, and Memphis police conducted a welfare check just to make sure Morant was OK, per Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Morant posted several pictures with captions on his Instagram story, depicting his love for his family. But the final one was of Morant being interviewed and the caption merely read “bye.”

Given that Morant has again been suspended by the Grizzlies for brandishing a firearm on social media, with the incident being investigated by the NBA, some became worried about Morant’s state of mind.

That was especially the case after Morant quickly deleted the posts of his family. But again, he is doing OK, police said.

“Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies checked on Ja Morant at his residence this morning and he is fine,” a police spokesperson said, via Cole. “He advised us that he is taking a break from social media.”

Morant was suspended by the NBA for eight games in March for a social media post in which he was holding a gun. Another video of him brandishing a firearm occurred after the season — leading many to believe he is in for a long suspension in 2023-24.

“Honestly, I was shocked when I saw this weekend that video,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN’s Malika Andrews from the NBA Draft lottery in Chicago, via Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “Now, we’re in the process of investigating it, and we’ll figure out exactly what happened to the best we can. The video is a bit grainy and all that, but I’m assuming the worst.”

Morant offered an apology for the latest incident.

“I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me,” he said in a statement. “This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself.”