Nuggets’ Barton sidelined with right hip injury

Ja Morant has received a 25-game suspension from the NBA and must meet conditions set by the league in order to be reinstated.

Morant was filmed on Instagram Live flashing a gun two weeks after the Memphis Grizzlies were eliminated from the playoffs, which followed his eight-game suspension in March for a similar incident.

“I have heard indirectly that Ja and people close to Ja, perhaps people formerly close to Ja, have this feeling that the NBA out to get them,” said Tim MacMahon. “That the media is out to get them.”

Morant also had other off-court incidents such as a confrontation with members of the Indiana Pacers that allegedly involved a laser pointer, as well as a fight with a teenager during a pickup game at his house.

Morant is beginning a five-year, $195 million contract extension with the Memphis Grizzlies this season.

Paul George was critical of the Philadelphia 76ers after their 142-110 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Monday. The Sixers now have the sixth worst record in the NBA and Joel Embiid could miss the rest of the season.

“We’ve shown no sign of a team that will compete,” said George. “We just don’t have the habits of a champion, or a playoff contending team, would have. To be honest, right now it’s a little far-fetched. All we can do is work hard and try to just keep going.”

George is averaging 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 32.2 minutes over his first 38 games with the Sixers. George’s PER has dropped from 19.3 to 14.7 since 23-24.