Memphis Grizzlies’ star point guard, Ja Morant, found himself in hot water after a video surfaced online showing him holding a gun. The 21-year-old apologized for his actions in the video and expressed regret for causing any harm or panic among fans and the public.

“This incident was a mistake and a lack of judgment on my part,” Morant said in a statement. “I understand the seriousness of this matter and the impact it can have on others. I apologize to my teammates, coaches, and fans for this distraction and for putting myself and others at risk.”

The video, which was apparently shot at Morant’s home, quickly drew criticism from fans and the media. Some questioned his decision to own a gun, especially given the NBA’s strict rules on firearms possession.

However, the controversy didn’t end there. A local newspaper, the Commercial Appeal, published an op-ed calling out Morant for acting like a “petulant child” and suggesting that the Grizzlies couldn’t ignore his behavior any longer. The column highlighted a history of off-court incidents involving Morant and his inner circle.

One of those incidents involved Morant’s friend, Devonte Pack, who was recently banned from the Grizzlies’ home arena, the FedEx Forum, for unspecified reasons. Sportskeeda.com published an in-depth profile of Pack, exploring his friendship with Morant and the circumstances surrounding his ban.

The fallout from the video also impacted Morant’s on-court performance. ESPN reported that he would miss at least two upcoming games due to the controversy, with the team releasing a statement saying they were “disappointed” in his actions.

Later, Yahoo Sports reported that Morant had been suspended for two games for posing with a gun on Instagram. The suspension will further impact the Grizzlies’ playoff chances, as they currently sit ninth in the Western Conference standings.

As the news spread, many fans and analysts expressed disappointment in Morant and called for him to learn from his mistakes. It remains to be seen how the situation will play out, but all eyes will be on Morant as the Grizzlies continue their push for a playoff berth.