The NBA launched an investigation stemming from a postgame incident last month involving Pacers team members and associates of Grizzlies star Ja Morant, in which the latter party was accused of training a red laser on the Indiana club.
Not long after the Grizzlies defeated the Pacers in a heated contest on Jan. 29, some within Morant’s inner circle “aggressively confronted” those traveling with the Pacers, The Athletic reported Sunday. It noting the apparent incident unfolded near Indiana’s team bus that was located in the loading zone of Memphis’ FedExForum. Davonte Pack, a friend of Morant’s who “directed expletives at multiple Pacers players” during the game, is said to have shouted remarks at the visiting club postgame with others, per the report.
Upon entering the loading zone, Morant joined Pack and another individual in an SUV that is said to have made its way toward the Pacers bus, “turned, slowed,” with those associated with the Pacers believing to see “a red laser coming from the car.”
“We felt we were in grave danger,” one individual told The Athletic of the incident.
Read more of The Post’s coverage on Ja Morant’s suspension
- Grizzlies’ Ja Morant to miss at least two games, ‘get help’ after troubling gun video
- Grizzlies had players-only meeting to address Ja Morant’s behavior
- Ja Morant risks losing everything as legal troubles mount: ‘Beyond stupid’
Though two associates of the Pacers’ party did not see who was behind the apparent laser, they’re also uncertain if the pointer was attached to a gun.
In a statement to The Athletic, NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said the league looked into the allegations made by the Pacers.
“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,” the statement said.
“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,” the statement concluded.
A representative for the Grizzlies told The Athletic the club “complied completely with the league’s investigation and are abiding by its findings.”
