The NBA followed through on its warning and fined Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant $75,000 on Friday for making “finger gun” gestures on two occasions.
“Morant was previously warned by the league office that this gesture could be interpreted in a negative light,” read the memo from NBA head of basketball operations Joe Dumars.
Morant, who has twice been suspended by the league for handgun-related incidents, made the gestures in games against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night and the Miami Heat on Thursday night — despite being warned on Wednesday.
After sinking a 3-pointer in the first quarter in Miami, Morant turned and made the gesture using both hands. He later sank a short jumper at the buzzer to give Memphis a 110-108 win over Miami, capping his 30-point night.
Asked postgame about criticism of his actions, Morant said, “I’m kind of used to it. I was pretty much a villain for two years now. Every little thing, if somebody can say something negative about me, it’s going to be out there. So, yeah. I don’t care no more.”
In Tuesday’s game, both Morant and Warriors guard Buddy Hield made the gesture. Hield also received a warning from the league, per multiple reports.
Morant, 25, was suspended eight games without pay in March 2023 for brandishing a firearm in an Instagram Live video. Two months later, another video surfaced online of Morant posing with a gun, resulting in a 25-game ban to start the 2023-24 season.
A two-time All-Star, Morant is averaging 22.9 points, 7.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds through 47 games (all starts) this season, his sixth with the Grizzlies. His base salary this season is $36.7 million, per Spotrac.
