Ja Morant’s ‘associates’ threaten Pacers with violence: Everything to know [UPDATED]

Ja Morant is in more hot water after the NBA investigated an incident in which his associates allegedly threatened Pacers staff and players after a game.

The beef between Ja Morant and his entourage and the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 29 wasn’t confined to the Grizzlies‘ court in Memphis apparently.

Things got even more heated outside, to the point that members of the Pacers organization felt they were in danger because of a verbal confrontation and the presence of a red laser that may have been attached to a weapon.

According to a bombshell report from The Athletic, the NBA investigated the confrontation and has taken action by banning “certain individuals involved in the postgame situation.”

Ja Morant news: What happened between associates and the Pacers?

People who were in the Pacers traveling party, which included players, coaches and support staff, claim that they were verbally confronted by a group of five or six men in the loading area where they were to board the team bus after the game. That group included Morant’s long-time friend Davonte Pack and other apparent associates of Morant.

Verbal sparring, including implied threats of violence, commenced between the two sides until Morant arrived and got into an SUV with Pack and others. The Athletic’s sources alleged that “the SUV moved toward the Pacers bus, turned, slowed, and that was when members of the Pacers traveling party noticed a red laser coming from the car and being trained on players, coaches and others.”

They believed the laser could be attached to a weapon, which is obviously concerning considering Morant once told a troll on Twitter, “It’s free to see how hollows feel.”

The Pacers contingent considered filing a police report. They did not go that far, but they did raise the issue with the NBA.

NBA statement on Pacers allegations against Ja Morant’s associates

Here’s what an NBA spokesperson told The Athletic:

“NBA Security and league investigators conducted an investigation interviewing numerous eyewitnesses and reviewing video surveillance following allegations made by the Indiana Pacers organization regarding a postgame incident on Jan. 29. While we substantiated that a postgame situation arose that was confrontational, based on interviews and other evidence gathered, we could not corroborate that any individual threatened others with a weapon. Certain individuals involved in the postgame situation and a related matter during the game that night have been subsequently banned from attending games in the arena. If additional information becomes available related to the postgame situation, the league office will conduct a further review.”

Ja Morant responds on social media

Morant posted two pictures to his Instagram story shortly after The Athletic dropped their report. Both photos featured him holding a baseball cap.

In slang, “cap” essentially means a lie.

UPDATE 6:07 p.m. ET: Morant all but confirmed calling the report “cap” with a tweet on Sunday evening.

https://twitter.com/JaMorant/status/1622365982915235842

“Did a investigation seen they were cappin . still let a article come out to paint this negative image on me & my fam . & banned my brother from home games for a year . unbelievable,” Morant tweeted.

Morant also appeared to confirm that Pack, who he has referred to as his brother in the past, had been banned from Grizzlies games for a year.

Ja Morant and his associates sparred with Pacers during the game

This whole incident was part of a larger issue that spanned much of the night. In the third quarter of the game between the Pacers and Grizzlies, players including Morant and Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard got into it on the court. Morant’s father, Tee, and Pack got involved in the verbal altercation as well. Pack, who walked onto the court, was escorted out by security.

Who is Davonte Pack?

Pack is Morant’s longtime friend. He is often seen in the stands at Grizzlies games alongside Morant’s dad.

Morant gifted Pack his jersey after the first 50-point game of his career in 2022.

However, he’s also now been involved in two of the more concerning incidents in Morant’s life.

Ja Morant was sued for punching a minor

TMZ reported in early January that Morant faced a lawsuit, which has since been sealed, for allegedly attacking a minor during a pick up basketball game at his home on July 26.

A 17-year-old alleges that Morant punched him with a closed fist and continue to hit him while he was on the ground, along with another man.

Morant and Pack were both named as defendants in the lawsuit. The Grizzlies player told police that he acted in self-defense after that minor intentionally threw a basketball at his face. The district attorney declined to prosecute.