NBA warns Ja Morant, Buddy Hield over inappropriate gestures during game

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The NBA has issued warnings to Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield following a controversial incident involving gestures resembling firearms during a game on Tuesday night.

Late in the fourth quarter of the Warriors’ 134-125 victory, Morant pointed his fingers in a gun shape toward the Warriors’ bench after responding to Hield, who appeared to mimic the gesture first. Both players received double technical fouls for their actions, which escalated tensions between the two teams.

The league deemed the gestures inappropriate but confirmed that they were not intended to be violent in nature. Sources informed ESPN that no further penalties would be levied against either player or their respective teams.

“The NBA has informed both teams that such gestures should be refrained from in the future,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported. “While the celebrations were inappropriate, the league recognized they did not reflect any violent intent.”

Morant’s gesture comes amidst a backdrop of previous controversies surrounding his conduct; he has faced multiple suspensions for brandishing firearms on social media. In March 2023, he was issued an eight-game suspension following a viral Instagram live video displayed at a nightclub in Denver, Colorado. Most recently, he faced a 25-game suspension for similar conduct in May 2023.

The recent developments have placed additional scrutiny on Morant, particularly in light of his prior transgressions. During a pre-game shootaround on Thursday, Morant’s teammate Desmond Bane defended him, expressing concerns over perceived targeting of Morant by the league. “I thought it was some B.S.,” Bane stated, referencing the warning given to Morant. “There’s a bunch of players across the league that adopt that 3-point celebration, and for him to be the one targeted, I don’t think it’s warranted or fair.”

Bane further noted that Morant has continued to be an aggressive player, attempting a team-high number of drives this season yet seeing a decline in free-throw attempts. “He wasn’t being treated as a superstar earlier in the season,” Bane argued.

The Grizzlies, currently working through challenges on and off the court, hold a record of 44-32 and are vying for a strong finish in the Western Conference standings. They are tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves and LA Clippers, but tiebreakers could force them into a precarious Play-In situation.

Bane remains optimistic about the team’s ability to overcome recent hurdles, indicating that despite a turbulent coaching change with the dismissal of former head coach Taylor Jenkins, the players are focused on regrouping. “We know we have a good team, a good foundation. We’re gonna try to string some wins together,” Bane said.