NBA Issues FedExForum Bans After Investigating Postgame Incident

The NBA said it investigated a postgame incident after the Memphis Grizzlies’ home game against the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 29 and banned some from attending games at the FedExForum after its probe.

The Athletic reported that acquaintances of the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant confronted members of the Pacers’ traveling party near Indiana’s bus in the FedExForum’s loading dock area after the Grizzlies’ 112-100 win that night. The Athletic reported a laser, coming from an SUV that it reported Morant was riding in, was pointed toward Pacers’ players, coaches and others in the loading area.

The Athletic reported it was not known who shined the laser, which it reported some feared was attached to a gun.

“NBA Security and league investigators conducted an investigation interviewing numerous eyewitnesses and reviewing video surveillance following allegations made by the Indiana Pacers organization regarding a postgame incident on Jan. 29,” the NBA said in a statement. “While we substantiated that a postgame situation arose that was confrontational, based on interviews and other evidence gathered, we could not corroborate that any individual threatened others with a weapon.

“Certain individuals involved in the postgame situation and a related matter during the game that night have been subsequently banned from attending games in the arena. If additional information becomes available related to the postgame situation, the league office will conduct a further review.”

Morant tweeted on Sunday that a friend of his was banned from FedExForum games for a year. During the Jan. 29 game, there was barking between Pacers players and friends of Morant seated along the sideline.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said before Sunday’s game against the visiting Toronto Raptors that the matter “was addressed internally.”

“The NBA did a full-on investigation; we were fully compliant with it,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.