Nike says it WON’T cut ties with Ja Morant after 25-game ban while NBPA slam ‘excessive’ punishment

Nike will not be cutting ties with Ja Morant after the Grizzlies star was handed a 25-game suspension from the NBA for a second gun-waving offense this year.

Morant was originally suspended eight games in March after he was seen brandishing a gun in a Denver nightclub, and flashed a weapon once again in May while he was a passenger in a car.

Still, it seems like Nike will stand by the Memphis All-Star, who has a signature shoe with the brand. 

‘We are pleased that Ja is taking accountability and prioritizing his well-being,’ the sportswear giant said in a statement, per ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. ‘We will continue to support him on and off the court.’

Meanwhile, the NBA Players’ Association blasted Morant’s punishment – which will keep him off the court until at least December – as ‘excessive and inappropriate.’

Ja Morant has been suspended 25 games by the NBA after this firearm incident back in May 

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Morant’s actions were ‘alarming and concerning’

Many fans thought Morant would be handed a more lengthy suspension after commissioner Adam Silver said it would be ‘unfair’ to Nuggets and Heat players to announce the suspension in the middle of the NBA Finals.

 ‘Ja has expressed his remorse and accepted responsibility for his actions, and we support him unequivocally as he does whatever is necessary to represent himself, our players and our league in the best possible light,’ NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio said in a statement Friday.

‘As to the discipline imposed, which keeps him off the court until December and requires some unstated conditions to be met before he can return, we believe it is excessive and inappropriate for a number of reasons including the facts involved in this particular incident, and that it is not fair and consistent with past discipline in our league. We will explore with Ja all options and next steps.’

Silver condemned Morant’s actions in a statement, saying that they could leave an impression on young people to act in a similar manner. Morant will have to meet certain conditions before returning to the court.

‘Ja Morant’s decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games,’ Silver said in the statement .

‘The potential for other young people to emulate Ja’s conduct is particularly concerning.

‘Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated.

‘For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time. Prior to his return to play, he will be required to formulate and fulfill a program with the league that directly addresses the circumstances that led him to repeat this destructive behavior.’

Morant released a statement of his own, saying, ‘I’ve had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I’ve caused. I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis.

‘To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman and Robert Pera – who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and have supported me – I’m sorry for the harm I’ve done.

Back in March, Morant appeared to hold up a gun in an Instagram Live video at a Denver club

Morant appeared to take a more personal tone with this latest statement as opposed to May’s

‘To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model. I promise I’m going to be better. To all of my sponsors, I’m going to be a better representation of our brands.

‘And to all of my fans, I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.

‘I’m spending the offseason and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making.

‘I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back on the court. I know my teammates are going to hold it down and I’m so sorry I won’t be out there with you at the beginning of the season.

‘I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove to you over time I’m a better man than what I’ve been showing you.’