The NBA has opened an investigation into Memphis Grizzlies’ guard Ja Morant after an incident during the team’s game against the Golden State Warriors on April 1, 2025. Morant was observed making a finger-gun gesture aimed at the Warriors’ bench, which led the league to take action.
Incident Details
The incident happened on a timeout with 20.1 seconds left in the Warriors’ 134-125 win over the Grizzlies. As Morant walked towards his team’s bench, he made shooting gestures with his fingers, spreading his left arm all the way and pointing at the Warriors’ bench. The move prompted the referees to hand out double technical fouls to both Morant and Warriors guard Buddy Hield, who had also made a similar gesture moments before.
NBA’s Reaction
The league has launched a detailed investigation into the gestures made by both players. The officials intend to sit down with the parties involved and find out the context and purpose of their actions. Since Morant has had past offenses involving gun-related behavior, the occurrence has attracted much attention.
Morant’s Past Incidents
Ja Morant has a past record of incidents involving guns:
- March 2023: Morant was suspended for eight games after showing a firearm during an Instagram Live session in a Denver nightclub.
- May 2023: He was issued a 25-game suspension in early action of the 2023-24 season for displaying a firearm during another Instagram Live stream on a friend’s account.
These past instances are among what drives the extra attention to the ongoing investigation.
Team Dynamics and Recent Performance
The Grizzlies have been struggling, having lost seven of their last eight games, which dropped them to sixth in the Western Conference standings. They just fired head coach Taylor Jenkins, further heating up the drama in the organization.
Potential Implications
The result of the NBA’s probe can have direct implications on Morant and the Grizzlies. Depending on what is revealed, Morant will be disciplined, which will have an impact on the performance of the team during a pivotal period in the season. The Grizzlies are struggling to maintain their playoff position despite these challenges.
Ja Morant’s finger-gun gesture has seen the NBA investigate, further turning the lights of scrutiny onto the player’s off-court and in-game antics. While the league weighs what is to come, the Grizzlies and their fan base sit on pins and needles waiting to hear the decision in hopes it will allow the team to just go out there and play and ride together as it enters into the playoffs.
