The suspension for conduct detrimental to the league covers the first 25 games of the 2023-2024 regular season and includes conditions for reinstatement. 

He is ineligible to participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games, during the course of his suspension.

“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. 

“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.”

‘Sorry for failing you’

Morant took accountability for his actions last month and released another statement after the suspension was announced, apologizing to the NBA, the Grizzlies, and the city of Memphis.

“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,” Morant said in a statement. 

“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.”

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“I’m spending the off-season and my suspension continuing to work on my own mental health and decision making,” he said. “I’m also going to be training so that I’m ready to go when I can be back… I’m so sorry I won’t be out there with you (teammates) 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 that what I’ve been showing you,” Morant added.

$10-million suspension

The Grizzlies offered the following statement shortly after the suspension was announced:

“We respect the League’s decision to suspend Ja Morant following this latest episode. Our standards as a league and team are clear, and we expect that all team personnel will adhere to them.”

Based on his $33.5 million salary for 2023-2024, the suspension will cost Morant approximately $10.2 million.

The video, which was on Instagram Live, featured Morant waving a gun while sitting in the passenger’s seat of a car while listening to rap music. The clip was released on May 13, and the Grizzlies suspended the guard from all team activities the following day.

It was the second time in three months that Morant was caught with a firearm on social media. He previously was suspended eight games and sought counseling after a March 4 incident in which he filmed himself holding a gun at a Denver strip club following a 113-97 loss to the Nuggets.

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Ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Silver said the “history of prior acts” and “the individual player’s history” would be taken into account when the league made its decision on Morant’s punishment.

Morant, 23, is coming off his fourth season with Memphis after the Grizzlies selected him with the second overall pick in the 2019 draft. 

A two-time All-Star, Morant averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists in 61 games (59 starts) in 2022-2023. – Rappler.com

Through her attorney, the woman sent demand letters to the fighter, the NBA and the Miami Heat seeking a settlement in lieu of legal action, per the report.

“We are aware of the allegations and are conducting a full investigation,” the Heat said in a statement. “Pending the outcome of the investigation, we will withhold further comment.”

In the letters, the woman’s attorney, Ariel Mitchell, contends security for both the team and the NBA forced the woman into a restroom where McGregor and his security guard were waiting. Then, Mitchell wrote, McGregor “aggressively kissed” the woman as security kept everyone out of the restroom.

McGregor then forced her into oral sex and as he attempted further sexual activity, the woman elbowed him repeatedly and was able to escape, per Mitchell. She reported the alleged assault to police in Florida on June 11.

Representatives for McGregor told TMZ the allegations are false.

“Mr. McGregor will not be intimidated,” they added.

UFC officials told TMZ they were aware of the allegations.

“UFC will allow the legal process to play out before making any additional statements,” per the promotion’s statement.

McGregor sat courtside at the game on June 9 and took part in a halftime promotional act in which he punched the Heat mascot several times. 

Burnie, the mascot, had to go to the emergency room and was sent home with pain medication, USA Today reported. – Rappler.com

In fact, if a trade is the agreed-upon path, all talks have to involve Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, per the reports. Beal is the only current player in the league to have a true no-trade clause in his contract.

The Wizards and new president Michael Winger inherited the clause as well as the remainder of Beal’s five-year, $251 million deal he signed last July.

The Miami Heat have emerged as a top potential suitor for Beal, per the reports.

Part of a decision on a roster overhaul rests with Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma, who both have player options for the 2023-24 season. Both can become unrestricted free agents if they decline the options.

Beal, 29, averaged 23.2 points and 5.4 assists in just 50 games last season. He was limited by injuries and a stint in the health and safety protocol.

Beal has spent his entire 11-year career with Washington, averaging 22.1 points in 695 career games (661 starts) since being selected No. 3 overall in the 2012 draft. – Rappler.com

But professional sports champions celebrate in the streets with a victory parade and, in the case of the Nuggets, that won’t happen until Thursday (Friday, June 16, Manila time), delaying Jokic’s return to his home country.

Asked after a Game 5 and Finals victory on Monday night (Tuesday, June 13, Manila time) if he was looking forward to the parade, Jokic replied with a question.

“When is [the] parade?” Jokic asked.

The answer: Thursday.

“No, I need to go home,” said Jokic, who told media before Game 5 he was most looking forward buying another horse.

“I mean, we succeed in our jobs, and we won the whole thing. It’s an amazing feeling. But like I said before, it’s not everything in the world. I think. OK, I won it. OK, not I, we won it. But I think it’s not the most important thing in the world still,” he continued.

“There is a bunch of things that I like, that I like to do. Probably that’s a normal thing. Nobody likes his job, or maybe they do. They’re lying.”

Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said he appreciates that Jokic puts family and basketball in proper perspective.

“He’s never changed with all the success, and he never will. It’s just not in his nature,” Malone said. “I love Nikola. Eight years, love Jamal Murray, seven years. Been through a lot. Just for all of us to stay the course, to challenge ourselves, to all get better collectively, individually.”

“It’s great to be a part of such a historically great player who’s an even better person, and I mean that sincerely. This is not coach-talk. Nikola is just a great, great man.” – Rappler.com

Two suspects were taken into custody, including one man wounded in the gunfire, which appeared to involve multiple weapons and stemmed from an altercation among several individuals, according to Denver police.

They said the violence appeared to be unrelated to the basketball celebration although several fans were hurt.

A precise motive for the shooting remained under investigation, but preliminary evidence pointed to gun violence precipitated by a conflict among illegal narcotics dealers, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas told a news conference.

All 10 people struck by gunshots were rushed by ambulance to Denver Health Medical Center, where four underwent emergency surgery, trauma surgeon Dr. Eric Campion told reporters.

He said five patients remained hospitalized on Tuesday, all listed in fair condition, and five were discharged. All were adults – nine men and one woman, according to police.

Five handguns were recovered from the area including one taken from the wounded suspect arrested after he fled on foot and another from the car of the second suspect, police commander Matt Clark told a news briefing. He said at least 20 rounds were fired.

Police also seized “significant quantities of fentanyl pills in the area” bundled in plastic bags, Clark said, adding “there appears to be a drug nexus” to the shooting.

“Our strong belief is that this was completely unassociated with the (Nuggets victory) celebration,” Thomas said.

“There were literally tens of thousands of people that were in the downtown area who were peacefully celebrating, and unfortunately there was a small group of individuals who chose to engage in some illegal behavior, and that went awry, and shots were exchanged.”

The chief said five or six of those wounded were innocent bystanders.

The shooting occurred about 1 mile (1.6 km) northeast of the arena where the Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat to win the NBA championship, the first in the franchise’s 47-year history.

The incident unfolded where a large crowd had earlier gathered to celebrate the team’s victory, though the throng had dwindled before the gunfire erupted, Clark told reporters.

After midnight the street “devolved into some physical fights and ultimately a shooting” and “a very chaotic scene,” despite the presence of about 100 police officers patrolling the area for crowd control, said Denver’s public safety director, Amando Saldate. – Rappler.com

Jokic capped a dominating postseason performance by pouring in 28 points and pulling down 16 rebounds as the Nuggets beat the Miami Heat 94-89 at a seething Ball Arena to claim the best-of-seven Finals 4-1.

“It’s got to be,” smiled Jokic, when asked if this was the golden era for Serbian athletes. “Sport is something in Serbia that put us in front of everybody.”

“Now we have Djokovic, probably the best ever, and now we have an NBA championship. I think it is a very good moment to be a Serbian.”

Djokovic stormed to his third title at Roland Garros on Sunday, beating Casper Ruud in straight sets to stand alone at the summit of men’s tennis with his 23 majors.

Jokic was the clear choice to win the Bill Russell Trophy as the NBA Finals MVP after the Serbian big man averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists.

“I think if you want to be a success you need to be bad, then you need to be good, then when you are good you need to figure it out,” said Jokic, whose trophy case also includes two NBA MVP Awards.

“There are these steps you need to fill, there are no shortcuts. It’s journey and I’m glad I am part of that journey.”

The 41st pick in the 2014 NBA draft, Jokic becomes the lowest-drafted player in NBA history to be named Finals MVP and the first player drafted outside of the top 15 to win the award.

“I watched Jokic come in early and work and I think he’s been described as a chubby teenager,” said Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke after accepting the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

“But they underestimated his resolve and his work ethic. He’s an unbelievable player. I’ve watched a lot of basketball, played a lot of basketball, Jokic is unbelievable.” – Rappler.com

Understated when the championship moment arrived, Jokic was anything but during the Game 5 of the NBA Finals, scoring 28 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in a 94-89 victory on Monday (Tuesday, June 13, Manila time) to wrap up the championship.

After not winning the overall NBA MVP award for the first time in three seasons, Jokic instead helped Denver earn the ultimate team prize and was chosen the Finals MVP. The Nuggets never lost more than twice in any playoff series and finished with 10 victories in their last 11 postseason games.

“It’s good, it’s good,” Jokic said immediately after the victory on the ABC broadcast. “We can finally go home now.”

Jokic, always reluctant to talk about his own play, instead spoke volumes on the court by averaging 30.2 points, 14 rebounds and 7.2 assists.

“Nikola Jokic is a great person, he is a great husband, father, son and brother, and on the basketball court he has proven time and time again that he is the best player in the NBA,” Denver coach Michael Malone said.

“He’s our MVP, we love him and we’re thankful he’s wearing a Nuggets uniform.”

Michael Porter Jr. put up 16 points and 13 rebounds, Jamal Murray had 14 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 11 as the top seed from the Western Conference finished off the eighth seed from the Eastern Conference in the best-of-seven series.

“All the hard work, all the sacrifice, all the dedication all culminated in winning the championship,” Malone said. “We have news for everybody out there: We’re not satisfied with one. We want more. We want more.” – Rappler.com

After not winning the NBA MVP award for the first time in three seasons, Jokic instead helped Denver earn the ultimate team prize while landing the Finals MVP honor. The Nuggets never lost more than twice in any playoff series and finished with 10 victories in their last 11 postseason games.

Michael Porter Jr. put up 16 points and 13 rebounds, Jamal Murray had 14 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 11 as the top seed from the Western Conference finished off the eighth seed from the Eastern Conference in the best-of-seven series.

Denver advanced to the ABA Finals in 1976, joined the NBA the following season, then lost in the Western Conference finals four times before making the title series this season.

Jimmy Butler rallied late to score 21 points for Miami, while Bam Adebayo contributed 20 points and 12 rebounds and Max Strus and Kyle Lowry each had 12 points.

The Heat knocked off the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and the second-seeded Boston Celtics on their way to representing the Eastern Conference in the Finals.

The Heat became just the second eighth seed to reach an NBA Finals, joining the 1999 New York Knicks, who lost the title series to the San Antonio Spurs.

Perhaps struggling with the magnitude of the moment, the Nuggets shot just 1 of 15 from 3-point range in the first half and 3 of 8 from the free-throw line. However, they trailed just 51-44 at halftime before leading by as many as three points in the third quarter. Denver entered the fourth quarter trailing 71-70.

A jump hook by Jokic early in the final period gave the Nuggets a 72-71 lead with 11:39 to play before both teams ramped up their defensive intensity. After neither side scored for a 2:35 stretch, Jamal Murray’s 14-foot pullup jumper gave Denver an 81-76 advantage with 6:43 left.

A Jokic runner put the Nuggets up 83-76 with 4:43 remaining as the Heat opened the fourth quarter 2 of 16 from the field.

Butler came to life in the final period, scoring the team’s last 13 points, including three free throws that were awarded even though he kicked out his right leg and caught an opponent on a 3-point attempt. However, Miami did not score over the final 1:57.

A Bruce Brown rebound and putback basket put the Nuggets up 90-89 with 1:31 remaining, and a steal followed by two free throws from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with 24.7 seconds left gave Denver a 92-89 lead.

Butler missed a 3-point attempt with 17.1 seconds remaining, and Brown sealed the title with two free throws for a 94-89 advantage with 14.3 seconds left. – Rappler.com

Nikola Jokic bagged the Finals MVP after averaging 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in the series. 

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Preview

MANILA, Philippines – End or extend?

As the 2023 NBA Finals heads back to the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado for Game 5 on Monday, June 12 (Tuesday, June 13, Manila time), the Denver Nuggets are in prime position to dispatch the Miami Heat and bag their first-ever NBA title. 

The Nuggets are coming off a resounding 108-95 win over the Heat in Game 4, thanks to the efforts of unlikely heroes Aaron Gordon and Bruce Brown. 

With their superstar center Nikola Jokic in foul trouble and high-scoring guard Jamal Murray struggling from the field, Gordon took on the scoring cudgels for the Nuggets and sizzled for a team-best 27 points, including a surprising 3-of-4 clip from beyond the arc.

Brown, meanwhile, delivered when it counted the most and poured in 11 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter to help Denver fend off Miami’s comeback attempts and take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Miami, on the other hand, leaned on its superstar forward Jimmy Butler and All-Star big man Bam Adebayo anew as starters Gabe Vincent and Max Strus failed to make their presence felt for the second straight outing. 

With their backs now against the wall, watch out for Butler, who has yet to deliver a statement game in this series, to go all-out and take care of business for the Heat as they seek to avoid elimination and return to Miami for Game 6.

In order to stay alive, the Heat should brace for huge scoring performances from Jokic and Murray – who combined for only 38 points on 13-of-36 shooting in Game 4 after both recording 30-point triple-doubles in Game 3.

Will the Nuggets close out the series or will the Heat live to fight another day?

Game time is 8:30 am.

– Rappler.com

Please refresh this page for live updates.

Love missed the Heat’s flight to the Mile High City and flew on his own Sunday to watch film and handle media responsibilities, one day before Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday, June 12 (Tuesday, June 13, Manila time).

“Everybody is happy and healthy,” Love said during a press conference. “… Was able to make it in for our film session.”

“Got a little bit of sleep, so today will be good to get up and down, get acclimated here and get some treatments, get some rest and be ready to roll.”

Love didn’t say if the child was a boy or a girl.

The Heat trail the Denver Nuggets 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. Only one team has ever recovered from such a deficit to win the Finals – the Cleveland Cavaliers, who beat the Golden State Warriors in 2016.

Interestingly, Love was a key member of that Cleveland squad.

“Naturally when your back is up against the wall you start to look for answers, solutions,” said Love, a five-time All-Star. “But we’re a team that as you know has been super resilient. We understand that it’s every possession, it’s one game.”

“I know that’s something that is cliche and everybody says but again, we feel like if we come out, have a good start tomorrow, play extremely hard and give ourselves a chance and take it back to Miami, that is right where we want to be.”

Love, 34, joined the Heat in February after reaching a buyout with Cleveland.

He averaged 7.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in 21 games (17 starts) for Miami in the regular season, and he is contributing 7.1 points and 5.7 boards in 19 postseason games (17 starts). – Rappler.com