Ja Morant was fined $75K for making finger-gun gestures during Thursday’s game at Miami, the NBA announced (via Twitter). The statement from the league notes that the Grizzlies guard was warned about the gestures earlier this week.
Morant displayed the gesture (Twitter link) multiple times on Thursday, according to James Jackson, Will Guillory and Alex Andrejev of The Athletic. He did it after scoring his first basket midway through the first quarter and again after hitting a three-pointer in the third quarter.
Guns are a sensitive issue regarding Morant, who was twice suspended for displaying a firearm in social media videos. The NBA didn’t punish him after he and Warriors guard Buddy Hield exchanged the gestures during Tuesday’s game, but he was asked to refrain from using it again, according to Jackson, Guillory and Andrejev.
Sources tell the authors that representatives from the league reached out to both teams, calling the gestures inappropriate and instructing them to tell Morant and Hield to stop. The teams reportedly argued that the gestures aren’t intended to promote violence.
Morant talked about the finger-gun celebrations and his perception around the league after hitting a dramatic game-winning shot to beat Miami.
“Every little thing,” he said. “If somebody can say something negative about me, it’s going to be out there. I don’t care no more. … I’m used to it. I’ve pretty much been a villain for two years now.”
He also said “I love it” when asked about playing the villain role.
Come on, dude….
You can’t fix stupid.
Morant is a billion dollar talent with a 10 cent brain.
A 5000 basketball IQ with a 64 real life IQ.
Probably, if he didn’t play in Memphis, this gesture would have been fine. But, guy has gotta know where he lives.
Well you see other players do it (but with just a single hand) … Ja just goes full bore and uses both hands like he’s holding a rifle or dual wielding LOL.
But the biggest reason is that he already has a history with it on social media, been told not to do it, etc.
He’s honestly lucky Silver isn’t David Stern.
Memphis is one of the five most violent cities in America.
If Morant was surely clean then he could get away with it. However, he’s got a rep so it’s going to follow him. He can’t find any other way to celebrate a shot? You’re not a villain your a dummy.
> He can’t find any other way to celebrate a shot?
> You’re not a villain your a dummy.
He’s no dummy. He’s fully aware and he’ll do it again in the same situation.
In his mind, a $75K fine is a small price to pay to protect the rep that he wants to project.
So Morant and Buddy Hield were “warned” after the warrior game, and Ja does this again in the Miami game a few days later? Twice !!
This is beyond any reasonable explanation. As he says himself, he just doesn’t care.
And when guys don’t care crazy things happen and I can’t imagine what will go through his head down the road.
In 2025, the absolute worst type of under-60 American is the one who was born-rich and has never been told they were wrong or ever had any boundaries put on them by anyone, so now if anyone attempts to reign them in, out of this born-rich arrogance, they will make it their life’s goal to do said thing people told them not to do, even if it destroys them. It’s pretty infuriating. Ja is one of those types. Kanye is another. Elon is another. Ethan Klein is another. These guys are everywhere…
Actually I think he did it 4x yesterday LOL
He’s not crazy. It’s exactly who he wants to be. Listen to him when he says “I don’t care if I’m the bad guy”. He’s never wanted to be LeBron or Steph.
The audience he’s playing to rewards him for being this way. He’ll miss on some traditional endorsements (like Sprite), but he’s getting plenty of attention from the people that matter to him.
This fine means nothing, no teeth.
Ja Moron
Just another wannabe gangster\rapper that is pervasive in the NBA and NFL.
Temetrius Jamel Morant is a rich kid from birth who is cosplaying being “from the hood” when he’s not from the hood, he’s from where mansions are on the street he grew up on.
“Temetrius” lol come off it lil bro
lol. clarence from cranbrook. clearly!
Y’all Americans so proud about your gun ammendment but piss yourself at someone with imagination?
Doesn’t look like he was using his hand motions to defend himself with the imaginary piece.
Gary, let’s not start defending this comment, it’s nonsense. Don’t need to pull imaginary guns out or anything.
You brought up the second amendment.
I brought up what these two players did.
You want to dictate how things go, but you’re wrong.
I’m saying there’s a difference between the second amendment, and a guy with weapon history pointing his finger at dudes making shooting gestures.
Just end the conversation right here. It’s going nowhere fast.
> …there’s a difference between the second
> amendment, and a guy with weapon history pointing
> his finger at dudes making shooting gestures.
Exactly. Moreover, the contract Morant signed, with a private concern, for consideration of a guaranteed $200M, prohibits this conduct.
Players can express themselves freely when they’re not in uniform.
Soft League vs dude who can’t take a hint
Stupid
You are not a villain, Ja. You my friend, are a dumbass.
Who really cares about a gun gesture, surely the league has other issues to deal with, right?
Harmless enough, just young men having fun… can you imagine Mutombo getting into trouble for his iconic finger wag, outrageous!