NBA Launches Laser Investigation Into Grizzlies Star Ja Morant 2023

The NBA has launched a ‘laser investigation’ into an incident involving Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant. After the Grizzlies’ 112-100 win over the Indiana Pacers on January 29th, Morant’s father Tee and friend Davonte Pack were reportedly involved in an aggressive confrontation at FedEx Forum.

The incident began when Pack exited his parked SUV and shouted at a group of people. They continued to interact for about 15-20 minutes before the group got into an SUV and drove towards a Pacers bus.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins responds to report

The Memphis Grizzlies have officially named Taylor Jenkins as their new head coach. He was introduced to the media at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. He talked about his background, coaching philosophies and his long-term vision for the franchise.

He also touched on player development during his press conference. He said he believes in building relationships with players, understanding their drive and motivations, and helping them be the best people they can be on the court as well as off. He also stressed the importance of holding each other accountable.

During the interview, he mentioned his connection with other coaches from his previous teams, including Mike Budenholzer. He even credited the opportunity to coach under Budenholzer as a key to his growth as a coach and person.

However, he did not hesitate to criticize the referees on Saturday when his team lost 119-118 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of their 2022 NBA playoff series. The Grizzlies were called for 33 fouls on the night to the Timberwolves’ 23.

After the game, he said he was still not satisfied with how the referees handled the final play of the game. He believed Draymond Green made too much contact with Jaren Jackson Jr. late 3.

The Grizzlies had a tough night, but they did manage to stay within striking distance of the Warriors all night. But the team’s lone bright spot came in the form of Ja Morant, who was brilliant all game long.

Despite being hampered by a knee injury, Morant scored a career-high 28 points and added six assists, and Memphis had a 93-88 lead with less than five minutes left in the third quarter. He also helped spark a comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 points and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds.

He’s likely going to miss Game 5 of the series, but it’s not clear whether he’ll be able to return for Game 6. According to ESPN’s Nick DePaula, the Grizzlies are expecting Morant to be out for a few days with his knee injury.

While it’s true that the Grizzlies were not great on offense in Game 4, there are some areas they can improve on. Specifically, Dillon Brooks needs to be limited in hero-ball situations and his decision-making should be improved. Those are two things that could make a big difference in this series.

The incident

The NBA has launched an investigation into the incident that led to Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant 2023 being suspended from the team. The league is reportedly investigating whether a laser pointer was used during a January 29 game between the Indiana Pacers and Grizzlies in Memphis.

The incident allegedly occurred after the game and involved a group of friends of Morant who aggressively confronted members of the Pacers’ traveling party near the team’s bus in the loading area of FedEx Forum in Memphis. Later, someone in a slow-moving SUV trained a red laser on the group, sources said.

While this is not the first time that a group of players’ friends have gotten into an altercation with other team players, it is certainly a serious problem. Especially when a person’s father is also involved in the altercation.

TMZ Sports reports that Morant’s father Tee Morant and friend Davonte Pack were part of the group that verbally sparred with members of the Pacers traveling party in the FedEx Forum parking lot. They were then asked to leave the arena and went back to their hotel.

According to the report, when they got out of their hotel, Tee Morant and Davonte Pack began smack-talking a few of the Pacers’ players. When they were done, they went to the loading area and entered two vehicles.

One of the vehicles allegedly turned and headed toward the Pacers’ bus, while the other dispersed into two vehicles. The SUV with the group that included Morant and Pack moved toward the bus, turned, slowed down and then sped up again. Several people from the traveling party who were in that vehicle noticed that the laser was being trained on them.

As a result, the group made the decision to file a police report about the incident. Then, they told the NBA about it. The league’s investigation started, and a number of individuals were banned from the arena.

The league spokesman said it is too early to tell if there was a threat posed by the group that was using a laser pointer during the game. But he added that the league is concerned about these incidents and will take action as necessary.

Morant’s father Tee Morant and friend Davonte Pack

Earlier this month, the NBA launched an investigation into an incident that occurred after a Memphis Grizzlies game against the Indiana Pacers. According to The Athletic’s Bob Kravitz and Sam Amick, associates of Morant aggressively confronted members of the Pacers travel party in FedEx Forum’s loading area and later someone in a slow-moving SUV allegedly trained a red laser on them.

Those involved in the incident felt threatened, but did not report it to the police out of fear they would be retaliated against. The Pacers’ staff, including security, believed the laser was attached to a gun and feared for their safety.

The league’s investigation determined that the incident did occur, but no conclusive proof of a weapon was found, The Athletic reported. The NBA will now investigate whether the incident violated the league’s rules on weapons and whether Morant should be subject to a fine or suspension.

While the incident is concerning, it is not unlike other sideline altercations that have plagued Morant and his entourage over the years. During the first half of his rookie season, Morant and his father Tee were caught in a brawl with Pacers teammates, and there have been other minor incidents involving the two men.

But the most recent episode is even more concerning, given it happened at FedEx Forum in Memphis. During the third quarter of the Grizzlies’ 112-100 win, Morant and his friends were reportedly trash-talking with Pacers players. That’s when things got out of hand.

According to The Athletic’s sources, one of Morant’s friends walked on the court and started trash-talking with Pacers players. Then, James Johnson got angry with the friend and removed him from courtside seating.

In the midst of this confrontation, The Athletic reports that Morant’s father Tee and one of his friends stepped out onto the court. They then yelled at a few players and were eventually escorted off the court.

It’s not clear what else happened during the altercation. However, The Athletic says the Grizzlies’ coach Taylor Jenkins did not address the situation after the game.

The Grizzlies were coming off a five-game losing streak. Fortunately, they were able to snap that streak with a big win over the Pacers on Sunday. Ja Morant had 27 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds in the victory.

The NBA’s response

The NBA has launched an investigation about Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant 2023 following reports that his acquaintances confronted members of the Indiana Pacers’ travel party after a January 29 game at FedEx Forum in Memphis. Several members of the traveling party said they observed someone in a slow-moving SUV training a red laser on them.

The incident happened after the Grizzlies and Pacers exchanged words on the court during the third quarter. A verbal sparring erupted between players, and Morant’s father, Tee, and a longtime friend of the player, Davonte Pack, also began directing comments at Pacers players, sources told The Athletic.

Eventually, arena security got involved and Morant and Pack were removed from the arena floor, sources said. They exited two parked SUVs, started to yell and the verbal exchange continued.

Sources say that Morant and his associates then entered a van and began pointing a laser at the Pacers’ coaches and players from inside the van. The verbal sparring, which continued intermittently, lasted about 15 to 20 minutes until Morant and his associates dispersed into two vehicles. The first vehicle turned toward the Pacers bus before exiting up a ramp and out of the arena’s loading area, sources said.

One of the people in the SUV then moved closer to the Pacers bus and pointed a red laser at them, sources said. At this point, some members of the traveling party questioned whether the laser was real.

After a few minutes, the SUV turned and slowed down, but the laser was still being trained on the Pacers’ staff and players. The team did not report the incident to police because they were afraid of retribution, according to The Athletic.

Later, the person in the SUV trained a laser on another person in the travel party who was standing near the front of the SUV, sources said. The person was a member of the Pacers’ security staff.

Upon learning of the incident, the NBA immediately opened an investigation and banned several people from games at FedEx Forum. The Grizzlies declined to comment on the issue, but they did say they “complied completely” with the league’s findings and were abiding by them.

Grammys 2023 Live Updates

Music's biggest night is just a few hours away. Check out our Grammys 2023 live updates below for all the latest news and red carpet photos!

The awards ceremony is set to honor 91 artists and songs, with five new categories added to the mix. These include Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical), Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and a Special Merit Award for Best Song for Social Change.

Laverne Cox

The 2023 Grammys are set to be one of the most prestigious awards shows in years. With stars such as Kacey Musgraves, Jay-Z and Quavo nominated in several categories, the ceremony will see performances from some of the biggest names in music.

The star-studded affair will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on Sunday, February 5. Before the show kicks off, E! will be streaming live updates from the red carpet.

Laverne Cox is the latest celebrity to hit the red carpet ahead of the award show. The Orange Is the New Black star stepped out in a stunning Jean Paul Gaultier gown from the Fall 2022 couture collection.

For her appearance, the Inventing Anna actress opted for a dramatic mini dress that was embellished with embroidered vertical lines of gemstones. She also wore custom Garo Sparo pantaleggings that complemented her sleek figure. Her hair was styled into a sultry updo and she accessorised her look with a layered gold choker, multiple rings and a gorgeous bracelet on her left wrist.

As a staunch supporter of LGBTQ+ equality and inclusivity, Cox will surely bring a refreshing spirit to the red carpet coverage. She is known for her candid interviews with celebrities, which she shares on her show If We're Being Honest With Laverne Cox, which airs on E!

Besides wearing her signature red lip and smoky eyeshadow, Cox also wore a coordinating beaded necklace by Ilene Joy and a pair of earrings from Al Zain. She finished her look with a touch of bronzer to help accentuate her skin tone.

While the majority of celebrities arrived in a variety of different styles for their red carpet appearances, there were some standout looks. Doja Cat donned a latex Versace gown that hugged her curves and featured a mermaid train, while Maren Morris chose a lace Prada ensemble.

Another notable star who walked the red carpet was Lizzo, who looked beautiful in a monochromatic orange Dolce & Gabbana dress. She paired her look with matching gloves and shoes.

Other stars who wore color to the event included Rita Ora, Taylor Swift and Harry Styles. The former 'Stars' singer and musician chose a low-cut rainbow jumpsuit from Egonlab that was adorned with Swarovski crystals.

Ingrid Andress

Ingrid Andress stepped out on the red carpet for the 2023 Grammy Awards in a daring black thong dress designed by Ukrainian fashion designer Svitlana Bevza of clothing label BEVZA. The country singer-songwriter wore the gown with slinky straps and a back-baring design, which she accessorized with statement drop earrings.

Ingrid also wore a '90s bun and subtle smokey eyeshadow to match her outfit. She is nominated for a few different awards this year, including best country duo or group performance for her song "Wishful Drinking."

While some stars went all out with extravagant gowns like Jennifer Lopez's Versace jungle-print number or Lady Gaga's celestial Giorgi Armani Prive number, others kept it simple with white dresses. TikTok star Leon opted for a longline black dress by Area, while Kelsea Ballerini went for a bright yellow Prabal Gurung outfit.

The Grammys' red carpet has always been a huge fashion event, so it’s no surprise that many stars hit the red carpet ahead of awards 2023 in style. Among them were Beyonce, who snagged a dramatic black gown with hip-high slits; Adele, who went for a gorgeous purple frock; and Sam Smith, who matched Kim Petras in theatrical red ensembles that wowed the crowd on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Shania Twain showed off a cow-themed suit and hat for her 2023 Grammys appearance. She added diamonds to her look for some bling, and she looks like a total star.

Aside from Twain, several other stars walked the 2023 Grammys red carpet in snazzy black and white outfits, including Miranda Lambert and Brandi Carlile. Ashley McBryde wore a floor-length black gown with plunging necklines and structured bodices, while Maren Morris opted for a rhinestone-embellished look that harkened back to traditional country music without looking too on the nose.

Similarly, Carly Pearce wore a two-tone dress with a classic neckline and modern updates. Both ladies paired the looks with matching tiaras and hats to add some sparkle to their ensembles.

Another big name to turn up on the red carpet this year was Harry Styles. The singer wowed the crowd with a midnight blue Roberto Cavalli two-piece set that included a crystal-embellished crop top and a matching floor-length skirt. He teamed the looks with a matching tiara and $3 million worth of Lorraine Schwartz jewels to finish off his looks.

Anna Sitar

A plethora of stars hit the red carpet for this year’s awards ceremony on Sunday, February 5, and they all stepped out in style. From Laverne Cox’s strapless, low-cut Kim Kassas Couture gown to Ingrid Andress’ sultry black sheath to Anna Sitar’s super-skinny straps and large cutout in the front, it was hard not to be impressed by their fashion choices.

The Grammys is one of music’s most prestigious nights, and while we love the iconic award ceremonies, there’s something about the fashion on display at the show that keeps us coming back for more. We can’t help but admire the creativity behind the looks of some of the night’s best, from Billy Porter’s automated hat fringe to Cardi B’s re-enactment of Botticelli’s Venus.

TikTok is a popular social media platform for millennials to share short clips of their lives, and the app’s star Anna Sitar (aka AnnaXSitar) has made it her mission to showcase her unique brand of style through a series of clever videos. In this episode, she takes you on a tour of her hotel room as she curates a few items that represent key aspects of her life.

We also sat down with her to see how she’s leveraging her massive TikTok following to launch a new creative venture, plus she reveals the one thing she won’t post about on social media again. Check it out below!

Lizzo

As we near the awards 2023, stars are hitting the red carpet. With a stacked lineup of performances and award-winning acts, this year's ceremony is set to be a real fireworks show!

Chart-topping artists including Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar and Adele are all vying for Grammys honours in the Big Four categories. Beyonce leads the pack with nine nominations, followed by Kendrick Lamar and Adele with eight nods each.

Lizzo, whose album "About Damn Time" earned double platinum certification and spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 last year, is also expected to pick up a few gongs on the night. Her hit single is up for three awards at the event: Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.

The "Juice" singer looked dazzling on the red carpet as she donned a floral cape by Italian fashion house Dolce and Gabbana. The vibrant orange ensemble featured a corset bodice and a long cape that was embellished with flowers.

She wore her hair in a chic updo and teamed the look with sheer orange gloves and two large diamond rings. The star also matched her glam with eye shadow and blush in a shade of dreamy orange that was perfect for the occasion.

Fans are loving the look, with one Twitter user writing: “Spring is in the air and I luv it!” The singer captioned a series of photos and videos of her colorful outfit and cape on her Instagram account.

Her look was complimented by her awe-inspiring makeup, which was done by Ernesto Casillas. The "About Damn Time" singer rocked a gorgeous cat-eye that had a touch of metallic gloss. Her lip color was a warm bronzy, while her nails were painted in OPI's Silicon Valley Girl hue.

Other stars, including EGOT winner Chloe x Halle and singer Anitta, chose to go with a more classic approach to their looks. Neither looked out of place at the prestigious awards ceremony.

The Grammys are the biggest music awards in the world and attract an influx of high-profile guests from all walks of life. It's the perfect opportunity to shine a light on the best of the genre.

Ja Morant One of Three Memphis Grizzlies Starters Out 2023

There's no denying that Memphis' Ja Morant exploded last season, establishing himself as a superstar in the process. His performance helped the Grizzlies to the second-best record in the NBA and the franchise's first playoff series victory since 2015.

But there are other facets of his game that deserve attention too. Take, for example, his fearlessness on the basketball court.

He’s a great shooter

Ja Morant is a 6’3′′ point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies who is a walking highlight reel. He is known for his ability to dunk, but he can also shoot from deep and midrange. He is a good two-point shooter and has the potential to be a great three-point shooter. He’s also a very good defender.

His shooting isn’t as impressive as it seems, however, and he has a lot of work to do to become one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA. He is currently shooting 22% from three this season and is ranked dead last in accuracy among 66 players who average at least 1.7 pull-up threes per game.

If he can develop his jump shot, Morant will be a nightmare for opposing defenses. He can dunk, but he also has the ability to drain a three-pointer from deep, and his development could spell doomsday for the opposition.

He can also make a great floater or layup when he needs to. Several times this year, he has found himself in a position to get into the lane and make a big play.

On Friday, he helped the Grizzlies win their first game of the season against the Houston Rockets. In a 129-122 victory, he hit a crucial floater that sealed the game and boosted the team’s record to 2-0.

His playmaking has been spectacular this season, and he is expected to be one of the top players in the NBA in 2023. He’s also a very strong defender who can get into passing lanes and block shots.

The Grizzlies are still missing a few key players from their rotation, but the depth they have in their roster is starting to pay off. De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson are gone, but Jake LaRavia and John Konchar have both made more than a couple of three-pointers this season, and Danny Green has been a consistent shooting threat.

If Morant can improve his shooting, he has the potential to become an all-star in the NBA. He is a great player and will be a great asset to the Grizzlies in the future.

He’s a great passer

Ja Morant is one of three Memphis Grizzlies starters out 2023, and he’s rapidly approaching superstar status. His first year in the NBA was a success, and he’s continued to improve in his second season. He’s a great shooter, a good passer and one of the better rookie defenders in the league. He’s already a top-five pick in this year’s draft and is expected to be one of the first two players selected.

There’s a reason that Morant has been one of the best point guards in the league this season. He’s a natural talent, and his overall improvements have been a huge boost for the Grizzlies. He also showed some signs of becoming a leader on the court this season, which is important for any young player to have.

He’s one of the best passers in the NBA, and he’s able to put teammates in easy scoring situations. He’s averaging more assists than any other player in the league and is on pace to become the first player in Division I history to finish with over 20 points and 10 assists per game.

His passing ability is something that’s often overlooked in the NBA, but it’s a skill that can make or break a team’s offense. He’s a very accurate passer, but it’s his ability to read the defense and find open teammates that makes him a real asset.

If he’s able to continue improving at this rate, then he’ll be an All-Star in no time. His incredible talent is what sets him apart from the other stars of this era, and his willingness to work hard and improve will help him reach his full potential.

Morant is a fantastic scorer, but his passing ability has really helped him in this season’s playoffs. His ability to put his teammates in good scoring situations is a key factor in the Grizzlies’ playoff run so far.

He’s also improved as a defender, and he hasn’t shown the slightest sign of slowing down, even in the midst of an injury-filled season. Whether or not he’ll be able to make his jump shot in the NBA is another story, but he’s doing everything he can to become a solid player on both ends of the floor.

He’s a great defender

Ja Morant is one of three Memphis Grizzlies starters out 2023, and he has an impressive resume to back up his stellar reputation. He’s one of the most dynamic players in the game, with a unique shooting stroke and explosiveness that makes him an exciting player to watch.

He’s also a great athlete, and has a long track record of being a very effective defender. He’s a strong rebounder, and he’s also capable of making plays in the passing lanes, so it’s no surprise that he’s been an important part of the Grizzlies’ opportunistic defense this season.

Defensively, he’s improved in a variety of ways this season. He’s averaging more defensive rebounds this year, and has been one of the best in the league at recovering loose balls. He’s also been able to generate more deflections and steals this season, as well.

As a result, he’s been able to help the Grizzlies improve their defensive rating this season. They went from a 105.3 defensive rating without Morant to 111.2 with him.

In addition to this improvement on the defensive side of the ball, he’s also been more active on the offensive end. This season, he’s averaging more than six assists per game, and has been able to generate more points than ever before.

His offense is one of the most efficient in the NBA, and he’s been a major reason for the Grizzlies’ rise in offensive efficiency. He’s also a very dangerous shooter, and he’s become increasingly effective at getting downhill and taking advantage of defenders that drop too low to defend him.

While he’s improving on the defensive side of the ball, there are still plenty of areas in which he needs to improve. He’s got some work to do in the passing lanes, and he could benefit from more aggressive use of his jump shot.

But he’s doing all of these things well enough to earn a spot on an elite team. Whether he can stay healthy and continue playing at this level for a while, remains to be seen.

He’s a great athlete

During his junior year at Murray State, Ja Morant made it clear that he wanted to play professionally in the NBA. And it looks like he has a good shot at that goal, as he’s been a big reason why the Memphis Grizzlies have been able to rise from one of the league’s worst teams to a possible conference contender.

Despite a slow start to the season, Morant has been putting up huge numbers all across the board, and is expected to be a top fantasy option for 9-cats and deeper formats this season. He’s already hit triple-doubles in three games this season, and he is currently at his career high with 27.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game.

He’s also shooting an impressive 45.1% from three-point range and 91.2% from the free throw line, so his value as a scorer will continue to grow over the course of the season. However, his three-point shooting is still far from his best, so he could see a drop in his production over the next few weeks as the Grizzlies look to get his consistency back on track.

His defense is also a work in progress, but his efforts are paying off. He has a league-leading 96th-percentile defensive rating when he’s on the floor, and is a potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

In addition, Morant is a great passer and a terrific facilitator. He has a 7.9 assist average that is the highest it’s ever been, and his jump-out-of-the-gym playstyle is helping him make the most of his opportunities.

The fact that he’s been able to get so much out of his teammates and has led his team to a surprising 25 wins and 13 losses is a major testament to how Taylor Jenkins has managed to develop him into a quality contributor. He’s not yet a superstar, but he’s a promising young player that should be on many teams’ rosters in 2023.

But perhaps the most amazing thing about Morant is his ability to make plays in any given game. He’s a great shooter, but he can also be a force on the boards and in transition. His ability to make plays with his hands is one of the reasons he’s such a valuable fantasy player, and it’s likely that he will see even more playing time in Memphis next season. His ability to get to the rim and create easy finishes is a rare talent in the NBA, and he should be worth a roster spot in deep leagues.