Grizzlies’ Ja Morant Reacts to Reports of NBA Investigation
The Memphis Grizzlies endured a tough 134-125 defeat to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, marking their fourth consecutive loss, which places them on the verge of participating in the play-in tournament. However, amid the team’s struggles, all attention shifted to Ja Morant for his actions during the fourth quarter.
Morant was seen making a gun-like hand gesture toward the Warriors’ bench shortly after Jimmy Butler hit a free-throw shot. On Wednesday morning, the NBA confirmed they were investigating the incident, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon. The investigation may lead to potential consequences.
“The NBA is looking into Memphis’ Ja Morant using finger gun motions toward the Golden State Warriors bench last night, sources tell me and Tim MacMahon,” the report stated.
Hours later, Morant responded on social media, posting two cryptic messages. The 25-year-old point guard dismissed the investigation in his first post on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding a laughing emoji at the end.
“Ja this… Ja that…”
A minute later, Morant followed up with another post, wishing everyone well, ending with a praying hands emoji.
“God bless y’all.”
The NBA’s decision to investigate Morant’s hand gesture sparked some controversy. Fans quickly noted that Warriors guard Buddy Hield had allegedly made the same finger gun gesture toward Morant first, which prompted the Grizzlies star’s response. The footage shows Hield making the gesture from the sideline, where Morant aimed his finger guns.
The NBA has yet to release the results of their investigation, and it may take several days before a decision is made. Similar hand gestures have been used by other players in the past without consequence. However, Morant’s past off-court incidents could be the reason behind this particular investigation.
Morant missed almost the entire 2023-24 season after receiving a 25-game suspension for flashing guns on social media multiple times. He was also involved in a reported altercation with a teenager during a pickup basketball game. Despite these issues, Morant returned to play in nine games before suffering a season-ending torn labrum in his shoulder.
This season, Morant has played in 46 games, averaging 22.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game, while shooting 45.4% from the field and 30.0% from beyond the arc.
