The New York Post obtained photos of Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant partying in the same Glendale, CO strip club where he flashed a gun on Instagram Live just two days later.
The pictures, taken inside Shotgun Willie’s, show the All-Star in the VIP room with a G-string-wearing dancer straddling his lap. The floor of the room is almost entirely covered in cash.
An employee remembers a dancer saying, “That took forever to count,” referring to all the money Morant dropped. Two other club employees who spoke to the outlet said Morant spent at least $50,000 in tips during his time there.
“He was there to party; he wanted some girls in the room,” an insider told the outlet. “The music was very, very gangster.”
Morant got to Shotgun Willie’s shortly after the team’s plane touched down in Denver. The 23-year-old entered through the back of the club and paid for four dancers and bottle service. Additionally, Morant ordered a ton of food, including steak, wings, and chicken strips.
Just 48 hours later, Morant returned to the club after the Grizzlies lost 113-97 to the Denver Nuggets. He appeared on Instagram Live rapping along to NBA Youngboy’s “Bring ‘Em Out” before flashing a gun to the camera.
But, the club’s majority owner Deborah Dunafon had nothing by nice things to say about Morant.
“This kid, real young, was exceptionally respectful and sweet, and he did not drink [on his second visit],” Dunafon said. “We’ve had [Denver] Nuggets and Broncos … come in and pitch quarters at the girls, be disrespectful and nasty. He’s marvelous.”
However, a dancer that was not in the VIP room heard complaints from coworkers that they were “absolutely terrified” over the presence of the gun. She claims Morant told them he’s “going through a lot right now.”
Dunafon said that she reviewed the security footage from the night with police, and no gun was spotted. Glendale Police investigated the incident but found insufficient evidence to charge Morant.
Morant has faced other consequences, and the NBA has now opened an investigation. He was suspended from the Grizzlies for two games, which was later extended to include four more games.
