Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith roast Ja Morant for new hand grenade celebration on Inside the NBA

Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith took Ja Morant to task in their typically humorous fashion as the Grizzlies star uses a new celebration.

Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith roast Ja Morant for new hand grenade celebration on Inside the NBA

Ja Morant

The Memphis Grizzlies have been flirting with the play-in spot over the past few weeks, and seem now to be firmly entrenched there. Ja Morant has returned to their lineup, but their defense remains suspect as Memphis slide in a free fall following Taylor Jenkins’ firing in late March. Morant has also caused some consternation with his antics as Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith try to dole out some sage advice.

The Grizzlies superstar, who has been fined numerous times for his actions with guns, has started using a new celebration. After being fined $75,000 for using a shooting gesture in games, Ja Morant is now tossing hand grenades instead. Of course, the 25-year-old is denying any such intent with his celebration. But he seems to be fooling nobody.

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Speaking to Grind City Media’s Michael Wallace, Morant insists that the actions are really just him ‘throwing his words out there’. This explanation does not seem to have moved the needle with the Inside the NBA panelists, who called him out in their characteristically funny fashion on Wednesday night.

Kenny Smith noted that the use of violent gestures by Morant would serve only to pour more fuel onto his ordeals.

“He has a history that maybe he should leave the celebrations where people might die alone,” Kenny Smith said.

Charles Barkley, who spent the segment snorting and chuckling in good humor, insists that there is one bright side to this whole hoopla. The bright side would be seen by Morant’s former Grizzlies head coach, Taylor Jenkins:

“I know one person’s happy right now. Taylor Jenkins ain’t got to deal with this crap.”

The Grizzlies lost yet another high-scoring duel to the Timberwolves in an important game for playoff positioning on Wednesday. Anthony Edwards top-scored with 44 points on the night. He got adequate support from Julius Randle, who compiled a 31-point, 10-rebound outing by himself.

Morant himself had 36 points and was given support by co-stars Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr, who tallied 51 points together. However, the team’s defensive frailty on the perimeter led to a really hot shooting night. Minnesota opened the floodgates in the third quarter, outscoring the Grizzlies 52-25 in that period and sealing the outcome.

Ja Morant, Grizzlies face a tough postseason schedule

The Memphis Grizzlies are now on the outside looking in to playoff positioning following their latest loss. The Nuggets, Clippers, Warriors, Grizzlies and Timberwolves are all jostling for top-6 spots. The Clippers and Nuggets at the moment lead the race, having lost one less game than the others. Yet, things could change dramatically by the time that the final games of the season are played.

While the Lakers are currently in third, a loss to the second-placed Rockets could send them down the table. As things currently stand, the Grizzlies would be facing the Houston Rockets if they match the Timberwolves’ record in the final two games and then win their 7v8 play-in battle.

Failing to get past the Timberwolves would pit the Grizzlies against the NBA’s top team if they win their second play-in game against the winner of Kings vs Mavericks. The OKC Thunder have less than half the number of losses suffered by teams seeded 3rd-8th in the Western Conference. Taking them on would be a Herculean task, and an almost certain loss for the Grizzlies. Perhaps Morant is no longer ‘fine in the West’!