Ja Morant Unveils New Celebration Gesture Amid NBA Controversy
In the wake of a recent $75,000 fine from the NBA for using finger-gun gestures, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has introduced a new way to celebrate his accomplishments on the court. After making a three-pointer during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Morant opted for a unique celebration that involved mimicking the actions of pulling a pin and tossing a grenade, followed by covering his ears.
New Gesture Debuts
This grenade gesture was seen for the second consecutive game on Thursday night, as Morant first introduced it during a matchup against the Charlotte Hornets the previous Tuesday. After the game against Minnesota, Morant expressed his enthusiasm for his new celebration, stating, “That’s my celebration now until somebody else has a problem with it, and I’ll find another one.”
Background on the Fine
The NBA imposed the fine on April 4, just one day after Morant performed gun-related hand gestures during a game against the Miami Heat. In that match, he used the finger-gun impersonation twice, which led to disciplinary action from the league. Prior to the game against Miami, the NBA clarified that Morant would not face punishment for similar gestures made during a game against the Golden State Warriors on April 1.
Performance Highlights
During the game on Thursday against Minnesota, Morant demonstrated impressive skills, finishing with a team-high of 36 points while making five out of 13 attempts from beyond the arc.
Reactions to Gun Gesture Incident
The incident involving Morant and gun gestures escalated following a verbal altercation with player Buddy Hield during the game against Golden State. The exchange included similar hand gestures, prompting the NBA to notify both teams that such actions were deemed inappropriate, although both sides argued that their intentions were not violent.
Previous Disciplinary Actions
This is not the first time Morant has faced repercussions for gun-related incidents. The guard had previously been suspended twice in recent seasons. In March 2023, he received an eight-game suspension after a video surfaced showing him brandishing a firearm on Instagram Live. He was also suspended for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season for another incident displaying a handgun on social media.
NBA’s Policy on Gestures
Although there is no explicit rule against specific hand gestures in the NBA, the league has a history of penalizing players for actions that represent gun-related motions. For instance, in 2017, Josh Jackson, then a forward for the Phoenix Suns, was fined $35,000 for a similar incident involving gestures toward a fan. Similarly, former Miami Heat guard Gerald Green received a $25,000 fine in 2015 for actions interpreted as gun gestures.
The NHL’s fine cap for such on-court conduct stands at $100,000, illustrating the league’s commitment to maintaining decorum in its vibrant yet competitive atmosphere.
(Photo: David Jensen / Getty Images)
