Desmond Bane’s Celebration Sparks Controversy Among NBA Fans

Desmond Bane, a guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, found himself at the center of controversy following a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. Bane’s celebration after hitting a three-pointer drew criticism from NBA fans as it went viral on social media.

The incident occurred when Bane sank a crucial shot against the struggling 76ers, contributing to a 117-111 victory for the Grizzlies. Philadelphia’s record sank to 2-12 for the season following the loss. After the basket, Bane celebrated by making a gesture resembling firing a gun with his hands and pointing it towards Sixers’ player Caleb Martin.

Social media users were quick to draw comparisons to Bane’s teammate, Ja Morant, who had previously faced legal issues and suspensions related to gun incidents. The memes and jokes online included comments like «Ja Morant approved,» and «Ja took him to the range.»

Ja Morant had been involved in multiple incidents in 2023, including a suspension for brandishing a gun at a Denver nightclub and another for similar behavior later that year. Additionally, in 2022, Morant was implicated in a series of altercations, including an incident involving a laser pointer directed at an opposing team, which was suspected to be a gun.

Despite the controversies, Morant has returned to the Grizzlies’ lineup this season following a shoulder injury and subsequent suspensions that limited his play last year.

The gesture by Bane led to a confrontation with Martin, resulting in both players receiving technical fouls. Some observers have suggested that such celebrations are best left confined to locker room antics rather than being showcased during games.

The Grizzlies continue to perform well this season, with a record of 9-7, maintaining their position in the Western Conference standings. However, the team remains under scrutiny due to the actions of its star players both on and off the court.