Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics reacts during the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the New York Knicks on April 24, 2011, at Madison Square Garden. (Nick Laham/Getty Images)
"I don’t care what y’all say about Ja I carried a gun after I was stabbed y’all don’t know what he going thru everyone got something to say until u really know what’s really going on in someone life when u black and rich u a target period," Pierce tweeted early Sunday morning.
Morant appeared to brandish a gun on a video livestream while he was in a nightclub after the Grizzlies played the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. The video sparked an uproar on social media and the superstar point guard was suspended for two games.
NBA legend Paul Pierce during the NBA Finals on June 8, 2022, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies during the Western Conference Semifinals against the Golden State Warriors on May 7, 2022, at Chase Center in San Francisco. (Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBA CHAMP ADVISES JA MORANT TO 'KEEP YOUR S--- TIGHT,' COMPARES SITUATION FROM HIS OWN LIFE
He issued an apology later Saturday.
"I take full responsibility for my actions last night," Morant said. "I'm sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire Grizzlies organization for letting you down. I'm going to take some time away to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being."
Ja Morant of the Grizzlies brings the ball up court against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum on Dec. 31, 2022, in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Morant could face further punishment if the league’s investigation finds wrongdoing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.