Rising star Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies has been suspended for 25 games by the NBA from the beginning of the 2023-24 season for misconduct, the league announced on Friday.

This is the second time for Morant to be punished for holding a gun in front of a camera this year. The first time happened in March during an Instagram Live and he was given an eight-game suspension. The second time happened in May when he brandished a firearm during his friend's livestream on Instagram. The Grizzlies have suspended him from team activities since then and the NBA now makes their move.

"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," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a 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."

As a result, Morant is likely to lose about $7.5 million of his salary for being unable to play in 25 games during the 2023-24 regular season.

There are conditions for Morant to meet in order to return after the 25-game suspension is over. "For Ja, basketball needs to take a back seat at this time," Silver said. "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."

As the Grizzlies top ace, Morant averaged 26.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game last season. The team finished the regular season with a 51-31 record as the No. 2 in the Western Conference. They lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 in the first-round playoffs. Morant scored 24.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and seven assists per game in that series.

Though many criticized Morant's poor defense and lack of shooting range, joking that the Grizzlies perform better without him, the truth is, the team doesn't have the second player to do what he does on the offensive end. They used to count on their solid defense to keep a good record without Morant, but as more players left, the Grizzlies have become more and more vulnerable on this end of the game.

That's why the Grizzlies may need Morant more than ever in the 2023-24 season to stay competitive in the West. Not only does he need to enhance his defense, sharpen his offensive skills, he also has to come back to the court as soon as possible.

"I've had time to reflect and I realize how much hurt I've caused," Morant said in a statement on Friday. "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. 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," Morant added.