Ja Morant brings out the finger guns again despite receiving warning from the NBA

The NBA investigated Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant after his finger guns celebration in their previous game.

Ja Morant brings out the finger guns again despite receiving warning from the NBA

Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant and his finger guns celebration

Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant has a tumultuous history with guns and suspensions. His actions in the years past have already warranted the wrath of the NBA. Those incidents have resulted in detrimental effects that still follow his name to this day.

He lost endorsement deals, had to face suspensions and was looked at as a player losing his way in the glitzy lifestyle of an NBA star. Those problems along with court visits for an unrelated problem gave the impression Ja Morant was looking to portray himself as a thug.

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NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe asked if it was necessary to show that he was a gun toting thug considering the amount of money he was making in the league and the new life he was living. Sharpe asked the Grizzlies star to change his entourage, so as to avoid getting into the wrong environment.

When the superstar sat out after a season ending injury, he started working on fixing his image. He stopped the entourage from following him to games. He said the right things and eventually fans believed he was working back towards elevating his life.

But in their last game against the Golden State Warriors, Ja Morant brought out the finger guns celebration. However, he did not just randomly bring it out. Rather, it was initiated by Warriors guard Buddy Hield.

This came to the NBA’s attention, and they launched an investigation. As per Shams Charania, the league issued warnings to both Morant and Hield and did not issue fines. The Memphis Grizzlies star though, brought the celebration out again earlier against the Miami Heat.

Will this be a problem for Ja Morant?

As per the league, the finger guns celebration was not a violent gesture. They did consider it inappropriate and advised players to refrain from displaying it. However, Ja Morant displayed the celebration after scoring a three pointer.

He and his legal team can argue that it is a celebration to indicate pinpoint accuracy or the shooting of the three-pointer. Therefore, it is unlikely that the league can reprimand the 25-year-old. They might issue another warning, but considering how Morant has reacted to the earlier investigation, he might not care.

The superstar is only focused on winning and probably the celebration is of him enjoying those spoils. The league might not look at it that way, but unless the South Carolina native does anything to bring back his past, he should be safe.

Morant’s game winner stops four-game losing streak

The Memphis Grizzlies have just gone through a torrid time these past few weeks. On one hand, their wretched form in March started to undo what they had all season long. Then that form also played its hand in the dismissal of former head coach Taylor Jenkins.

The Grizzlies lost their past four games and suddenly their playoff seeding looked suspect. They might have secured a play-in spot, but in the tight Western Conference, sliding down the standings could work against their early season goals.

To prevent that from happening, the team has to revert to its winning ways. In tonight’s game against the Miami Heat, both teams stayed neck and neck. Then in the final few seconds, Ja Morant was at the top of the key with the ball in his hands.

Isolated against rookie center Kel’el Ware, he dribbled to his left, then crossed over to his right to create some space. When he saw Ware working his way back to regain defensive position, Morant took off on one leg for a fadeaway jumper. The ball bounced on the rim twice before going in, cementing the 110-108 win.