13 hours Ago By Christian Alamodin, Hardwood Heroics
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is a polarizing figure for NBA fans. The Murray State product has been phenomenal for the Grizzlies this season despite playing fewer games than his average game count during his first four years in the league. However, his antics haven’t alleviated any worries from fans and analysts alike.
While trash-talking is expected out of the outspoken star, his recent go-to celebration hasn’t incurred any favors from people that want to keep the league sanitized and family-friendly. The league had enough of his actions and decided to slap him with a fine that would remind him how much they meant business. Ja Morant fined $75,000 for gun celebration during Memphis Grizzlies win vs.
Miami Heat The Miami Heat aren’t the most dangerous team the Grizzlies could face at this point of the season, but the team’s narrow 110-108 win at the Kaseya Center highlights how disorganized the team is still playing under interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo . Morant was given a hefty $75,000 fine after unleashing another finger-gun celebration against the despite being warned the last time he did so, AP’s Tim Reynolds provided details about the sanction: A day after Morant again used his aiming-a-gun gesture to celebrate making three-pointers, the Grizzlies’ star was fined $75,000 by the league Friday. It’s the second time this week that Morant — who was suspended twice in 2023 for incidents with actual weapons — heard from the league about mimicking the act of using a gun during a game.
The league called the gesture “inappropriate,” adding that “Morant was previously warned by the league office that this gesture could be interpreted in a negative light.” Fans who don’t religiously follow the league may find the punishment a little excessive. There are celebrations that are more disrespectful than Morant’s celly under the right context.
However, Morant has a well-documented history with firearms. He’s been on Instagram Live with a pistol on his hands . While not everyone finds the gesture worthy of a full investigation, it can’t be avoided if the league wants to keep their product PG.
While $75,000 is not an amount you can scoff at, it doesn’t look like Morant will change his ways. It’s because of such actions that trade rumors surrounding the problematic guard continue to persist. Ja had a terrific game against the Heat, finishing with 30 points, five boards, three assists, and one steal.
This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission..
