After being fined $75,000 by the NBA for his finger-gun gesture celebrations, Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies has come up with a new way to celebrate a made 3-pointer. In the recent game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Morant was seen mimicking pulling a pin, tossing a grenade, and covering his ears following a successful 3-point shot. This gesture was also displayed in the previous game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Speaking about his new celebration, Morant stated, “That’s my celebration now until somebody else has a problem with it, and I’ll find another one.”
The NBA had imposed the fine on Morant after he mimicked shooting a gun with his fingers during a game against the Miami Heat. This was not the first time Morant had engaged in gun-related gestures, as a similar incident had occurred in a game against the Golden State Warriors. Despite warnings from the league, Morant continued with the gestures, leading to the hefty fine.
In the game against the Timberwolves, Morant showcased an impressive performance, scoring a team-high 36 points and shooting 5 of 13 from behind the arc.
This is not the first time Morant has faced disciplinary action for gun-related incidents. In the past, he was suspended twice for similar behavior. In March 2023, he received an eight-game suspension for brandishing a gun on Instagram Live, and he missed the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season after being seen holding a handgun in a social media post.
While the NBA does not have a specific rule against gestures, the league has fined players in the past for making gun-related motions. Players like Josh Jackson and Gerald Green have faced fines for similar actions.
The NBA imposes a cap of $100,000 for fines related to on-court conduct. Despite the controversies surrounding his celebrations, Ja Morant remains a prominent figure in the league, showcasing his talent and skills on the court.
(Photo: David Jensen / Getty Images)
