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Apr 1, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots as Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post (21) defends during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

'Totally Unecessary': Ja Morant’s Looming NBA Investigation Gets Stephen A. Smith’s Honest Take

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Apr 3, 2025 10:48 AM ET

News broke on Wednesday that the NBA was investigating Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant for the finger-gun gesture he made toward the Golden State Warriors’ bench. Morant had been previously suspended on two separate occasions for firearm-related issues.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes that an investigation on the issue leading up to the playoffs is unnecessary. In a post on X, he responded to Shams Charania’s report that the league was looking into the incident and would talk to everyone involved.

“Come on NBA—and the rest of us. Totally unnecessary. Let Ja Morant play in peace. Let’s not look for things,” Smith wrote. “The playoffs are about to begin. Let’s enjoy the games. Morant didn’t do anything flagrant. Folks are reaching now.”

Come on @NBA — and the rest of us. Totally unnecessary. Let @JaMorant play in peace. Let’s not look for things. The playoffs are about to begin. Let’s enjoy the games. Morant didn’t do anything flagrant. Folks are reaching now. https://t.co/cmeWaGgYBu

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 2, 2025

Morant was handed an eight-game suspension followed by a 25-game suspension for waving firearms on Instagram live in the past. Depending on the result of the league’s investigation, Morant could be suspended yet again, and it could derail Memphis’ hopes of running deep in the playoffs.

The Grizzlies are currently tied for sixth place in the Western Conference with the Minnesota Timberwolves, half a game ahead of the LA Clippers and half a game behind the fifth-ranked Golden State Warriors.

Ja Morant reacts to news of investigation of his gesture

Following their loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, Ja Morant took to X to react to the news that the NBA will be investigating the gesture he made toward the Warriors’ bench.

Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant Sends Blunt 2-Word Message Amid Latest Controversy 1 Apr 1, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots as Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) and guard Buddy Hield (7) defend during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

On Wednesday, Morant, who doesn’t frequently post on social media, made his first post on X since March 27.

“Ja this, Ja that.”

ja this .. ja that ..

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) April 2, 2025

Around the same time, NBA fans began sharing clips of other NBA players throughout the league performing the same gesture Morant did, some of which happened during this season.

Apr 1, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) react during the third quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

One clip saw Dyson Daniels pretending to aim a gun at the pelicans bench after a three-point shot. Another fan shared an old clip of LeBron James, back when he was still with the Cleveland Cavaliers, pretending to fire a gun into the air and reload it. Former Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah used to shoot finger pistols while running back to go on defense before retiring the celebratory gesture in 2012.

Some are wondering if the league is taking Morant’s past infractions into consideration during the investigation on his actions on Tuesday.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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