By: Lexi Dai

Last Friday on June 16, Memphis Grizzlies point-guard Ja Morant was suspended for 25 games after a video of him waving a gun around was uploaded on social media.

The punishment was more significant than many other gun violence cases in the NBA because it was the second time Morant was seen using a gun recklessly. Early in March, Moranr “live-streamed video on Instagram as he laughed and brandished a firearm in a nightclub near Denver after a game” (New York Times, 2023). He was suspended for eight games.

In the past few decades, the NBA has increasingly emphasized gun safety. Many NBA leaders and players have spoken out about gun safety. The most significant case was between Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton, who were threatening each other with firearms. The punishment resulted in suspensions of 50 and 38 games for Arenas, and Crittenton respectively.

Hopefully, through the NBA, awareness of gun safety can grow. Also, hopefully, Morant’s case can act as a deterrence to others.