By James Jackson, Will Guillory and Alex Andrejev
MIAMI — Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant made the game-winning basket in Thursday’s win over the Miami Heat, but the guard also drew attention for ignoring an NBA warning given to him earlier the same day.
Morant — who has been suspended by the NBA twice for gun-related incidents in recent seasons — made finger-gun gestures with his hands multiple times during the game against the Heat. After his first basket — a 3-pointer with 7:51 left in the first quarter — Morant broke out the celebration in which he mimicked shooting a gun with his fingers. He did so again after making a 3 in the third quarter.
Ahead of Thursday’s matchup, the two-time All-Star had been notified he wouldn’t be punished by the NBA for making gun-related gestures Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors. The league’s reason for not punishing Morant was understanding his intent behind the gesture wasn’t violent, but Morant was advised to refrain from using the inappropriate celebration. That warning did not stop Morant from repeating it several times during Memphis’ 110-108 victory, which included Morant’s game winner as time expired.
Ja Morant was issued a warning by the NBA for making a gun gesture on Tuesday night.
Tonight, he brought the celebration back. pic.twitter.com/p71Z70oKup
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 4, 2025
Despite the climactic finish, Morant’s on-court heroics were overshadowed by him defying the NBA’s suggestion about on-court decorum. After the game, Morant explained why he isn’t concerned about the perception of him as his reputation has taken a turn as his indiscretions have mounted.
“Every little thing,” Morant said when asked about the finger-gun celebrations. “If somebody can say something negative about me, it’s going to be out there. I don’t care no more.”
Morant also shared that he’s “well aware (of the talk).”
“I’m used to it,” he said Thursday night. “I’ve pretty much been a villain for two years now.”
Ja Morant:
“I feel like I’ve been the villain for the last two years now. Not even just to this crowd (in Miami).”
Does he enjoy being the villain:
“Yup. I love it.”
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) April 4, 2025
In March 2023, the league suspended Morant for eight games after he was seen brandishing a gun on Instagram Live while at a nightclub in Colorado. The NBA also suspended Morant for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season after he was seen holding a handgun while riding in a car on Instagram Live.
The league launched an investigation after a recent incident involving Morant and Warriors guard Buddy Hield, issuing warnings to both players and their teams after they mimicked shooting guns during Golden State’s win Tuesday.
A league source previously said the NBA told the teams the gestures were inappropriate and instructed them to stop using them. According to the source, the argument from the teams’ side was that the gestures were not intended to be violent.
(Photo: Sam Navarro / USA Today via Imagn Images)
