NBA commissioner Adam Silver plans to ‘check in’ with suspended Grizzlies star Ja Morant as he returns from 25-game ban for flashing gun in video: ‘I’m the monitoring situation closely’

Ja Morant can expect to chat with Adam Silver in the coming days as he prepares to return from his 25-match suspension for flashing a gun in a viral video.

Speaking to reporters at the league's inaugural regular season tournament in Las Vegas, the NBA commissioner said he would personally check in with the Memphis Grizzlies guard in the coming week.

“Yes, I have been monitoring the situation closely, and so has he,” Silver said Saturday. 'We are even planning to check in directly this week, Yes and I.

'But people at the league office, along with Ja and his team and the Players' Association, have been in regular contact, basically weekly. Those checkpoints have been there.

Silver emphasized that Morant has lived up to expectations during his suspension.

“We've been putting together a program for him over the last few weeks and to my knowledge he has complied with everything he was asked to do,” Silver said. “As I said, we will talk at least once this week before he comes back, and we will review the program and make sure the conditions are in place for him to be successful in the future.”

Ja Morant can expect a conversation with Adam Silver (photo) in the coming days

Morant (pictured), an NBA All-Star, returns from his second suspension for gunplay

The earliest Morant could play is Dec. 19, when the Grizzlies visit New Orleans. That game is the second half of a back-to-back and it's unclear how soon the Grizzlies will get their franchise player back into the lineup.

Morant was suspended for 25 games after being seen with a gun in a video posted online. The video showing Morant showing a gun while sitting in the passenger seat of a car was posted after he served an eight-game suspension in March for another video showing a gun at a Denver-area strip club.

Morant apologized in both cases.

Silver said Morant “has complied with everything that was asked of him” in the return-to-play program established by the league when the 25-game suspension was imposed.

Meanwhile, Morant is accused of assaulting a teenager during a basketball game at the NBA star's home in July 2022.

Morant's second gun incident (pictured) resulted in a 25-game suspension for the All-Star

In November, a judge ruled that Morant's lawyers can argue he acted in self-defense as part of a lawsuit accusing him of assaulting a teenager.

Circuit Court Judge Carol Chumney scheduled the hearing for Monday, when attorneys for Morant and 18-year-old Joshua Holloway will discuss whether Morant is immune from liability under Tennessee law for punching Holloway during a home match. from the All-Star player in Memphis. in July 2022.

Morant's attorneys have acknowledged that he punched Holloway once after Holloway threw a basketball at Morant and the ball hit Morant in the chin. In a July 26 motion, the player's lawyers said he should be immune from liability under the state's “stand your ground” law, which allows people who feel threatened at home to take violent action in certain situations .

The law is used in criminal cases, but Chumney's ruling clears the way for Morant's attorneys to apply it in the civil case and try to dismiss the lawsuit.

Morant's accuser was 17 when the lawsuit was filed. It accuses Morant and boyfriend Davonte Pack of assault, reckless endangerment, abuse or neglect, and infliction of emotional distress. An amended complaint identified the plaintiff as Holloway.

Morant filed a countersuit accusing Holloway of defamation, assault and battery. No criminal charges have been filed against Morant. Pack has been charged with assault and will have a hearing in state criminal court on Nov. 21.

The lawsuit has led to complicated legal arguments, including disagreement over whether the state's “stand your ground” law can be used to support Morant.

The Grizzlies are currently 6-15 in 13th place in the Western Conference.