Grizzlies guard Morant says he’ll get help after video shows apparent gun
Ja Morant will be away from the Memphis Grizzlies for at least their next two games, the team announced Saturday, not long after the NBA opened an investigation into a social media post by the guard, who livestreamed himself holding what appeared to be a gun at a nightclub.
Morant said in a statement distributed through the agency that represents him that he takes “full responsibility” for his actions and that he was going to “take some time away to get help.”
The video was streamed by Morant on his Instagram page early Saturday, hours after the Grizzlies played in Denver. They were flying to Los Angeles on Saturday for games against the Clippers on Sunday and the Lakers on Tuesday.
The league will try to speak with Morant as part of that investigation, though it is unclear when any meeting may occur. Morant apologized in a statement released by Tandem Sports + Entertainment.
Golf
KITAYAMA IN FRONT » Kurt Kitayama steadied himself down the stretch at Bay Hill, closing with two birdies over the last three holes to escape with an even-par
72 and a one-shot lead in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler had five birdies over his last seven holes in warm gusts that made Bay Hill tough as ever. He finished with a 68 and was one shot behind, along with Viktor Hovland of Norway (66).
KO LEADS BY TWO » Defending champion Jin Young Ko shot a second consecutive 7-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead over Nelly Korda into the final round of the LPGA’s Women’s World Championship.
Ko had a 54-hole total of 14-under 202 after another weather-delayed day at the Sentosa Golf Club. She birdied four of her first five holes and two of her last three.
College basketball DANTE LEADS DUCKS OVER STANFORD »
N’Faly Dante had 15 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks, including a pair late to help Oregon hold off Stanford 73-68 in a regular-season finale.
Dante collected his ninth double-double this season and the Ducks (18-13, 128) won their third straight and clinched the fourth seed and a first-round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament next week in Las Vegas.
Spencer Jones made four 3s and scored 18 points for the Cardinal (13-18, 7-13), who will be the 10th seed. MOORE’S 33 LEAD SAN JOSE STATE OVER AIR FORCE » Omari Moore recorded 33 points as San Jose State beat Air Force 63-61.
Moore was 14 of 24 shooting, including 3 for 8 from distance, and went 2 for 3 from the line for the Spartans (19-12, 10-8 Mountain West Conference). Alvaro Cardenas Torre added 10 points.
Motor sports LOGANO WINS POLE »
Defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano, who won the October race at Las Vegas, won the pole for Sunday’s Pennzoil 400.
William Byron, in the Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet, qualified second at 185.153 mph. ELLIOTT OUT INDEFINITELY AFTER SURGERY » Chase Elliott is out indefinitely after undergoing a successful three-hour surgery to repair a fractured tibia, Hendrick Motorsports general manager Jeff Andrews said.
Andrews said there was no timeline on when the star NASCAR driver would return. Elliott injured his left leg Friday while snowboarding in Colorado.
Tennis
MEDVEDEV WINS TITLE »
Daniil Medvedev won this 18th tour-level title and third in a row by beating Andrey Rublev 6-2, 6-2 in an all-Russian final at the Dubai Championships.
The former No. 1 extended his winning streak to 14 matches in a run that started on Valentine’s Day and included back-to-back trophies in Rotterdam and Doha.