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Ja Morant Breaks Silence on Gun Gesture Controversy

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Alex Regla | Last updated Apr 4, 2025 12:46 AM ET

Just hours after being issued a warning from the league for mimicking a gun gesture toward the Golden State Warriors bench, Memphis Grizzlies' guard Ja Morant did it again on Thursday.

After burying a 3-pointer in the first quarter against the Miami Heat, Morant flashed the same "finger-gun" celebration that initially got him in hot water. Whether an intentional message to the NBA or otherwise, the lack of restraint was notable given Morant's history.

The gesture itself has become a polarizing topic among basketball fans yet for Morant specifically, it was just the latest gun-associated act that is becoming a disconcerting trend in his young career.

Beyond several off-the-court incidents, the 25-year-old has also already been suspended twice for wielding a firearm on social media.

Ja Morant after the 3PM.

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— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 4, 2025

Following Thursday's game, Morant spoke about his checkered reputation in the face of yet another controversy.

"I was pretty much a villian for two years now. Every little thing - if somebody can say something negative about me, it's going to be out there. Yeah, I don't care anymore."

As has been the case with the other occurrences, this latest gun-related act may overshadow an otherwise dazzling performance from the dynamic guard.

Behind Morant's 30 points and game-winner, the Grizzlies snapped the Heat's six-game winning streak and potentially took their first step to stabilizing a sinking ship.

The win was critical for Memphis as they've recently tumbled down the Western Conference standings after losing their previous four contests. They are now the sixth seed but are in danger of slipping into the play-in tournament with the same record as the seventh-place, Minnesota Timberwolves.

For Miami, they can take some solace in they were mere bounces away from their seventh consecutive victory. They are now just a half-game up on the Chicago Bulls for the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference.

It remains to be seen if the NBA decides to take further action against Morant in the following days. If so, he and the Grizzlies could face another lost season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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