Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant finds himself under NBA scrutiny once again after an exchange with the Golden State Warriors bench Tuesday.
In one of the most confoundingly idiotic moves we’ve seen in some time, Morant appeared to aim finger-guns at the Warriors bench and then at guard Buddy Hield.
Hield had taunted him moments earlier from the bench, sparking a verbal back-and-forth that earned both players technical fouls.
Now, according to league insider Shams Charania, NBA officials are investigating the incident. Charania also reported that Hield is being scrutinized over a gesture he made prior to Morant’s actions.
The league's probe will also look into a gesture by Warriors guard Buddy Hield ahead of Morant, sources said. League officials will talk to involved parties as soon as Wednesday. https://t.co/sD8IujAvnQ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 2, 2025
Ja Morant Can’t Stop Doing Finger Guns
In a nutshell, the league investigating a finger gun gesture sounds pretty absurd. So what makes the move so idiotic?
Ja Morant has a bit of an issue. Shooter McGavin thinks he makes finger guns too much.
In fact, an investigation carries a little extra weight given Morant’s history of gun-related controversies, including a 25-game suspension in the 2023-24 season for flashing firearms on social media.
Which was preceded by an 8-game suspension for a similar incident.
Shortly after his return, Morant received some heat for performing a celebration in which he sprayed “imaginary bullets” into the crowd.
Ja spraying imaginary bullets into section 113 after the slam pic.twitter.com/UPh0SI4PmO
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 27, 2023
Will He Ever Learn?
Morant also has a history of threatening actual violence. Last summer, the Washington Post detailed accusations that the basketball star assaulted a teenage boy and threatened to shoot him during a pickup game.
He was also alleged to have threatened the head of security at a mall in Memphis, Tennessee.
Fans and analysts, in the meantime, will have to keep wondering if Morant’s antics, both on and off the court, will continue to overshadow his undeniable talent.
The Grizzlies are struggling through a rough patch. They have lost eight of their last eleven games and recently fired coach Taylor Jenkins.
They can’t exactly afford to have one of their star players under a cloud of investigation by the league, or worse, have him suspended for his repeated behavior.
Memphis tries to break out of their slump later this evening when they take on the Miami Heat.
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