Memphis Grizzlies Point Guard Ja Morant reportedly ignored the NBA’s warning and received a $75,000 fine for a finger gun gesture to the Golden State Warriors’ bench during Tuesday’s game between the Grizzlies and Warriors at the FedExForum. The Warriors proceeded to defeat the Grizzlies 134-125 in regulation. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with a whopping 52 points, including 12 three-pointers, and was 16-of-31 from the field.
Morant Receives a Fine
Morant might’ve had one of the best offensive games this season, but his controversial issues stole the show. He finished Tuesday’s game with 36 points on 14-of-22 shooting along with 6 assists. His finger gun gesture to the Golden State bench was noted and went viral on social media. The NBA world might’ve been quick to judge, but rightfully. It isn’t the first time the star point guard has found himself in hot water.
The Warriors disliked the point guard’s gesture to their bench. Curry, Draymond Green, and Buddy Hield appeared to be in disbelief with an apparent combination of confusion and disappointment. This incident wasn’t an atypical trash-talk dispute. It resembled the point guard’s past with guns. Morant previously brandished a gun on Instagram Live while at a strip club in Denver. He has been suspended twice for gun-related incidents.
Morant Ignores Warning
The NBA issued him a formal warning following the finger gun gesture to the Golden State Warriors’ bench on Tuesday. However, Morant ignored the NBA’s warning and made a similar gesture during Thursday’s game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat. He received a $75,000 fine after initially facing zero penalties.
Final Thoughts
The NBA’s issuing a $75,000 fine over the finger gun gesture was definitely justified. However, the NBA should’ve fined him following the first incident this week instead of simply determining that the gesture was inappropriate, but there was no intention for Morant to be violent to other NBA players. Morant’s past with guns has been disturbing the past few years, despite Morant downplaying his previous incidents.
After Thursday’s game, Morant told reporters he was “well aware” of the controversies and headlines the gesture has been drawing to himself. He also appeared to deny the gesture’s effects as he added, “I was pretty much a villain for two years now. Every little thing, if somebody can say something negative about me, it’s going to be out there … So, yeah. I don’t care no more.”
