Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has once again stirred controversy after making a finger gun gesture during Thursday night’s 110–108 win over the Miami Heat. The move came just days after the NBA formally warned him to stop using the gesture, which the league deemed “inappropriate.”
The incident occurred in the first quarter after Morant hit a three-pointer. He celebrated by mimicking a shooting motion with his hand — a repeat of the action that brought him under scrutiny earlier this week during a game against the Golden State Warriors.
Following that game, both Morant and Warriors guard Buddy Hield received warnings from the league. While the NBA concluded the gestures were not intended to incite violence, officials emphasized they were not appropriate for the court and should not be repeated.
A History of Controversy
Morant’s latest action adds to a growing list of off-court and on-court issues tied to firearm imagery. In March 2023, he was suspended eight games for appearing with a handgun on Instagram Live. Later that year, he received a 25-game suspension after another video surfaced of him with a firearm.
Despite these setbacks, Morant has remained a central figure in the Grizzlies’ lineup when healthy. However, injuries and inconsistent performance have marked a difficult 2024–25 season for the 25-year-old star.
Redemption on the Court
Although Morant started slowly on Thursday — scoring only three points in the first half — he rebounded with a dominant second-half performance. He scored 27 points in the final two quarters, including the game-winning shot in the final seconds. He finished with 30 points, shooting 10-of-15 from the field and making three shots from beyond the arc.
His clutch performance helped Memphis secure a key road win as the Western Conference playoff race tightens.
“I was pretty much a villain for two years now. Every little thing, if somebody can say something negative about me, it’s going to be out there,” Morant said postgame. “So, yeah. I don’t care no more.”
Grizzlies Holding Their Playoff Position
The Grizzlies are now 44–32, tied with the Clippers and Timberwolves for the sixth and seventh seeds in the Western Conference. Only half a game separates them from the fifth-seeded Warriors, with just a few games left in the regular season.
Other key contributions in Thursday’s win included:
- Desmond Bane: 17 points
- Scotty Pippen Jr.: 17 points, 7 assists
The Miami Heat were led by Tyler Herro with 35 points and Bam Adebayo with 26.
What Comes Next?
It remains to be seen whether the NBA will take further disciplinary action against Morant for repeating the gesture. The league has not yet issued a statement regarding Thursday’s incident.
Meanwhile, Morant continues to play a critical role in the Grizzlies’ postseason hopes. Through 46 games this season, he’s averaging 22.7 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.2 rebounds, while shooting 45.4% from the field.
The Grizzlies next face the Detroit Pistons on April 5, as they aim to solidify their spot in the Western Conference playoff bracket.
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