Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant and Warriors guard Buddy Hield, in addition to their teams, were issued warnings by the NBA after “inappropriate” gestures Tuesday night, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Charania reported Wednesday that Morant could face punishment after using a finger-gun taunt during Tuesday’s game, but said Wednesday that the league determined the “celebrations were not intended to be violent in nature, but inappropriate and should refrain.”
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An overhead camera caught Morant pointing finger guns at the Warriors’ bench during the Grizzlies’ 134-125 loss Tuesday.
Multiple members of the Warriors noticed the taunt, including Draymond Green, who appeared to approach an official after Morant made the gesture. Morant received a technical foul for the taunt. Warriors guard Buddy Hield was also hit with a technical for imitating the gesture.
Morant led all Grizzlies players with 36 points in the loss. The Grizzlies, however, couldn’t stop Stephen Curry, who dropped 52 points in the win.
Morant has received multiple suspensions from the NBA as a result of off-the-court infractions which involved guns. Morant was initially suspended eight games in 2023 after flashing a gun during an Instagram live video. Two months later, Morant flashed a gun in a separate Instagram live video. After reviewing those incidents, the NBA issued a 25-game suspension to Morant.
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Morant missed time at the start of the 2023-24 NBA season while serving that suspension. He was limited to just nine games that season due to a shoulder injury.
Morant returned to action this season and hasn’t missed a beat. He’s averaging 22.7 points and 7.4 assists in 46 games with the Grizzlies.
