Ja Morant is once again in the spotlight—both for his clutch performance and for reigniting controversy with a now-infamous celebration.

The Memphis Grizzlies star guard repeated his signature finger guns gesture during Thursday night’s game against the Miami Heat, despite reportedly receiving a warning from the NBA just a day earlier. The league had advised Morant to refrain from using the gesture, which it deemed “inappropriate,” due to its connotation and his history with gun-related incidents.

Morant Celebrates Early — and Often

Morant pulled out the gesture less than five minutes into the first quarter after scoring his first basket. He repeated the celebration at the 10:10 mark of the third quarter following a 3-pointer, appearing to direct it toward the Grizzlies bench rather than the opposing Heat.

This follows a similar incident Tuesday when Morant aimed finger guns at the Golden State Warriors bench. That prompted visible reactions from players like Draymond Green, who appealed to officials mid-game. Warriors guard Buddy Hield mimicked the celebration and also received a technical foul, as did Morant.

ESPN’s Shams Charania later reported that the NBA reviewed the incident and issued formal warnings to both Morant and Hield, stating that while the gestures weren’t “violent in nature,” they were still deemed inappropriate for NBA gameplay.

Buzzer-Beater Lifts Memphis

Despite the ongoing controversy, Morant delivered when it counted. With the game tied at 108 in the fourth quarter, he sank a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer, securing a much-needed win for the Grizzlies and snapping a four-game losing streak.

A Troubled History with the NBA

Morant’s recent actions have drawn renewed attention to his troubling past with gun-related behavior. In 2023, he was suspended for eight games after flashing a gun during an Instagram Live video. Just two months later, another Instagram Live incident earned him a 25-game suspension for the same reason.

Other reported off-court incidents include:

• Allegations that someone in Morant’s vehicle pointed a laser (possibly attached to a firearm) at Indiana Pacers staff.
• A 2022 altercation where Morant allegedly punched a 17-year-old and threatened him with a gun—a case later ruled as self-defense.

What’s Next for Morant and the Grizzlies?

While Morant’s buzzer-beater was a bright moment, the 25-year-old is experiencing one of the most challenging seasons of his career. He’s averaging a career-worst 3.8 turnovers per game and struggling with low shooting percentages.

The Grizzlies, currently 44-32, remain in the playoff hunt but recently fired head coach Taylor Jenkins. The team’s long-term direction remains uncertain, though Morant is under contract for three more seasons.