Alcohol And Toy Guns: What's The Story Behind Ja Morant's IG Live Videos?

Not long after the NBA announced Ja Morant's 25-game suspension following his second Instagram Live gun incident, it's reported that alcohol was a factor in the first video back in March. And regarding the second incident, was it a toy gun in the video?

With a string of troublesome controversies swirling around Morant in the past few months, many have wondered what could lead the NBA star to so much trouble and what the real story is behind both infamous IG Live videos.

After the first IG Live gun incident in March, Morant sat with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and other league officials to discuss his actions and punishment. According to The Athletic, the Grizzlies star blamed his actions on "heavy drinking" that evening.

During the meeting with Silver, Joe Dumars, NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations, and Tamika Tremaglio, executive director of the National Basketball Players Association, they were told that Morant's poor decision-making was due to heavy drinking and that the events of the evening were "so fuzzy because of the booze that was flowing so freely."

Morant was convincing and sounded genuine that things would change. His apology was "humble and contrite," they hoped the eight-game suspension would be the last of the NBA star's trouble.

Then the second incident in mid-May happened, almost identical to the first, with Morant flashing a firearm during an IG Live. And now, instead of questioning if alcohol was a potential factor, it's been reported that perhaps the gun wasn't real.

According to TMZ Sports, shortly after the May incident, Morant filmed himself holding a toy gun to show his family and friends that he did not have a real firearm in the second IG Live. The video shows that it is Morant, identified by his tattoos, attempting to prove the gun wasn't real and was lighter. TMZ Sports was told that Morant sent the video to people close to him to confirm that he wasn't holding a real gun in yet another IG Live.

Many fans question the validity of such a claim since Morant was never heard saying it wasn't a real gun after the video began circulating on the internet. He even issued an apology with zero mention of the possibility of the fake gun.

"I know I've disappointed many people who have supported me. This is a journey, and I recognize there is more work to do," Morant's statement after his second IG Live reads. "My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my action. I'm committed to continuing to work on myself."

Shortly after his 25-game suspension was announced on Friday morning, Morant issued another statement apologizing and taking accountability for his actions.

"I've had time to reflect and realize how much hurt I've caused. I want to apologize to the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates, and the city of Memphis. To Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman, and Robert Pera - who allowed me to be a professional athlete and have supported me - I'm sorry for the harm I've done," his statement began.

"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 a better representation of our brands. And to all of my fans, I promise I will make it up to you. I'm spending the offseason and suspension continuing to work on my mental health and decision-making. I will also be training to be ready to go when I can return to the court. I know my teammates will hold it down, and I'm so sorry I won't be out there with you at the beginning of the season. I hope you'll allow me to prove to you over time that I'm a better man than what I've been showing you."