NBA great Paul Pierce comes to Ja Morant’s defense over gun controversy: ‘Y’all don’t know what he going thru’
NBA legend Paul Pierce has defended Memphis Grizzlies star Jae Morant for owning a gun, admitting he carried a weapon after he was stabbed early in his career.
Pierce suggested that he could empathize with Morant’s situation because of what he had to go through during his NBA career. In September 2000, Pierce was stabbed 11 times after an incident at a Boston nightclub. The Celtic star needed lung surgery to repair the damage.
Click here for more sports coverage on FOXNEWS.COM
Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce reacts during the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the New York Knicks on April 24, 2011 at Madison Square Garden. (Nick Lahm/Getty Images)
“I don’t care what you say about Ja, I picked up a gun after he stabbed me, you don’t know what he’s up to, everybody’s got something to say as long as you Don’t really know what’s really going on in someone’s life when you black and rich UA goal period,” Pierce tweeted Sunday morning.
Morant appeared on a video livestream brandishing a gun while he was at a nightclub after the Grizzlies played the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. The video caused an uproar on social media and the superstar point guard was suspended for two games.
NBA legend Paul Pierce during the NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 8, 2022 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. (Getty Images by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE)
NBA Champ advises Jay Morant to ‘keep his mind straight’, compares situation to his own life
He later issued an apology on Saturday.
“I take full responsibility for my actions last night,” Morant said. “I apologize 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 to get help and work on learning better ways. Going. Coping with stress and my overall well-being.
Ja Morant of the Grizzlies drives the ball up the court against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum on December 31, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
Morant could face further punishment if the league’s investigation finds wrongdoing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
