The Glendale, Colorado, police department opened an investigation in Ja Morant, and closed it almost immediately.
Monday, Glendale police announced they were investigating Morant’s Instagram Live broadcast last weekend, from gentlemen’s club Shotgun Willie’s. It’s a crime in Colorado to possess a firearm while intoxicated, but proving Morant’s intoxication, let alone possession of the weapon, was always going to be a tough task.
In addition, there was no disturbance at Shotgun Willie’s, nor did anyone present make a complaint. In fact, no witness would testify that Morant even had a gun. The police likely concluded that a criminal prosecution based on an Instagram video was doomed from the start.
That doesn’t mean all is well with Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. The club announced that their All-Star, who missed the Grizzlies’ losses to the Clippers and Lakers, would not return to the team for at least another week.
That means Morant will miss the playoff rematch with the Golden State Warriors Thursday, as well as a home-and-home with the Dallas Mavericks and a game in Miami versus the Heat. There’s no guarantee he’ll be back after those four games. If the Grizzlies add to his suspension, Morant could miss three games against Dallas and two against the Warriors in the next 12 days, which could have huge consequences for playoff seeding.
The Grizzlies aren’t going to rush him back, regardless of their place in the standings.
Jenkins said, “To put a timetable on [Ja’s return] is disrespectful.” While Morant won’t have to prove his innocence on criminal charges, he still has to prove himself to his team.
