According to reports, the NBA is investigating Memphis Grizzlies player Ja Morant because of a gesture he made at the end of their game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. It appeared Morant made a finger gun gesture towards the Warriors bench late in the game.
The investigation will also look into a gesture from Golden State Warriors player Buddy Hield. The NBA might speak with the involved players as early as Wednesday.
Morant has been suspended several times before for incidents involving real guns. In 2023, he was suspended for eight games for showing a gun on Instagram from a nightclub. Later in May 2023, he received a 25-game suspension for displaying a gun in a car in another Instagram video.
He was also investigated after a game in January 2023 where someone in his car allegedly pointed a red laser at the Indiana Pacers team bus after an argument involving Morant`s associates. The NBA couldn`t confirm anyone was threatened with a weapon in that case.
The NBA considers a player`s history when deciding on punishments. For instance, Isaiah Stewart received a two-game suspension for his role in a fight because of his past behavior. This also played a role in Draymond Green`s indefinite suspension last season.
Those past incidents were physical on-court issues. This new investigation is about a gesture. However, the NBA could still punish Morant, as the league rules give the commissioner broad power to do so. The rule states:
Essentially, this rule allows the commissioner to punish Morant for his gesture if it`s deemed not in the league`s best interest. Considering Morant`s past, this is possible. This is another problem for Memphis, who are struggling after firing their coach Taylor Jenkins. Memphis fell to sixth place in the Western Conference after Tuesday`s loss.
Jasper Hawthorne