Memphis Grizzlies Star Ja Morant Fined $75,000 for Gun Gestures — Less Than Two Days After NBA Warning
Brandon Dill/AP
The NBA on Friday announced it fined Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant $75,000 for repeatedly making gun gestures during games this week.
During Tuesday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors, Morant first the gesture in the direction of the Warriors bench. It occurred during a stoppage in play.
The league deemed the gesture inappropriate and warned him against doing it again.
Less than 48 hours later, however, Morant did exactly that when the Grizzlies took on the Miami Heat. This time, it was done in celebration after knocking down a 3-pointer.
On Friday morning, the league announcement it had responded with a fine.
“Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been fined $75,000 for twice making an inappropriate gesture on the playing court, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations,” the statement read. “Morant was previously warned by the league office that this gesture could be interpreted in a negative light.
“The gestures were made by Morant during the Grizzlies’ 110-108 victory over the Miami Heat on April 3 at Kaseya Center.”
The fine is part of a growing list of punishments the NBA has handed Morant in relation to guns. In the 2022-23 season, he was suspended for eight games for brandishing an actual handgun during a live stream on Instagram. After doing it a second time the following offseason, Morant was suspended for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season.
