Grizzlies change road travel plans after Ja Morant gun video

NBA

By Justin Tasch

March 19, 2023 | 1:27pm

As concerns arose about the Memphis Grizzlies’ behavior on the road, the team has adopted measures to limit how often players can go out during its travels.

In the wake of Grizzlies star Ja Morant’s suspension for flashing a gun in a Colorado strip club, which he broadcast on Instagram Live, The Athletic reported that the team is traveling home immediately after more road games, particularly from “glitzier” cities like Miami.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported two weeks ago that veteran Steven Adams addressed the team’s nightlife habits during a players-only meeting, telling his teammates they needed “to show better discipline on the road.”

Morant, 23, was suspended eight games by the NBA on Wednesday over the gun video, which included the five games he had already missed.

He’s eligible to return Monday, but Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said that was unlikely as Morant needs time to ramp up toward a return.

Photos obtained by The Post showed Morant getting a lap dance at Shotgun Willie’s in Glendale, Colo., with cash all over the floor and furniture in the VIP room.

Morant said during an ESPN sit-down with Post Renaissance Man columnist Jalen Rose on Wednesday that the gun wasn’t his.

“It’s not who I am,” Morant told Rose. “I don’t condone any type of violence, but I’ve taken responsibility for my actions.”

Morant spent time in a counseling program in Florida after stepping away from the team on March 4.

The All-Star guard was previously accused of repeatedly hitting a 17-year-old boy in the head during a pickup game at Morant’s house over the summer.

Morant then allegedly emerged from his house with a gun visible in his waistband.

In a separate incident over the summer, the head of security at a Memphis mall told police Morant “threatened” him during an argument in a parking lot.

“I’m gonna show everybody who Ja really is, what I’m about and change this narrative that nobody got painted over me,” Morant told Rose.

“I realized I have a lot of kids who looked up to me, even some adults, a lot of fans and I realize my past mistakes is in being a good role model. So, just got to be better in that area, be more responsible, be smarter and make better decisions.”