Police investigating Morant
Grizzlies’ star out for indefinite period; may not play against Mavs
LOS ANGELES — There’s no timetable for Ja Morant to return to the Memphis Grizzlies, and the All-star guard knows he’s made “difficult decisions and poor choices” that he has to be accountable for, coach Taylor Jenkins said.
Morant will not be with the team in Los Angeles today for a game against the Lakers while the NBA investigates a social media post in which Morant appeared to be holding a gun.
The Mavericks play at Memphis on Saturday and are home against the Grizzlies on Monday. They also play the Grizzlies on March 20, finishing off three matchups of the teams in a 10-day span. It’s unknown whether Morant, who is averaging 27.1 points, 8.2 assists and 6 rebounds per game this season, will play in any of those games.
Morant streamed a video on his Instagram account early Saturday of himself holding what appeared to be a gun at a nightclub, hours after playing in Denver. He said in a statement 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.”
On Monday, police in Colorado said they were investigating Morant’s actions.
Cavaliers 118, Celtics 114 (OT): In Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell scored 40 points and the Cavaliers outlasted Boston, which lost its second overtime game in less than 24 hours.
Jaylen Brown scored 32 points and Malcolm Brogdon 24 for the Celtics, who didn’t arrive at their hotel in Cleveland until 2:30 a.m. after losing to the New York Knicks in double overtime Sunday.
Nuggets 118, Raptors 113: In Denver, Jamal Murray scored 24 points, Michael Porter Jr. had 20 and Denver scored the last six points to pull out the win.
Aaron Gordon added 19 points for the Nuggets, who improved to 24-1 in their last 25 games at home. Nikola
Jokic had 17 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.
Trail Blazers 110, Pistons 104: In Detroit, Damian Lillard had 31 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists, securing his second triple-double of the season before the end of the third quarter.
The guard scored 16 points in the first quarter to give the Trail Blazers a 31-18 lead.
76ers 147, Pacers 143: In Indianapolis, Joel Embiid scored 42 points, James Harden added 14 points, 20 assists and nine rebounds in an entertaining game virtually devoid of defense.
Heat 130, Hawks 128: In Miami, Jimmy Butler had 26 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, and Victor Oladipo and Caleb Martin each scored 21 off the Miami bench.
Kings 123, Pelicans 108: In Sacramento, Domantas Sabonis had 19 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists as the Kings cruised to victory.