Ja Morant's Gun Celebration Sparks Controversy Again Amid NBA Scrutiny

Ja Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies' star guard, has stirred the pot again. Despite a recent NBA investigation and reported warning over his gun-themed celebration, Morant repeated the gesture during Thursday night's game after sinking a three-pointer. The celebration, mimicking the motion of firing a gun, occurred just five minutes into the game.

This isn’t the first time Morant has opted for this controversial display. Earlier in the week, he performed the same celebration during a game against the Golden State Warriors, visibly unsettling Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Green even appealed to the referee for disciplinary action against Morant.

Morant's history with gun-related incidents has made his actions particularly charged. In March 2023, he was suspended for eight games after posting a video on social media brandishing a handgun at a strip club in Denver. Later that year, another suspension followed—this time for 25 games—after Morant appeared on social media flashing a gun during a live video.

Beyond the suspensions, Morant has faced several troubling incidents. Among them was a physical altercation with a 17-year-old during a pickup basketball game at his residence, which was ruled as self-defense. Additionally, he reportedly threatened a Memphis mall security head during an argument, with a member of his group allegedly shoving the individual. Then there was the January 2023 laser-pointer fiasco, in which someone in Morant's vehicle allegedly aimed a laser at the Indiana Pacers' team bus after a confrontation between Morant’s entourage and members of the Pacers staff.

Given his turbulent history, Morant’s repeated gun celebration feels like poking the bear—a bear that already has its eyes fixed firmly on him. Whether he’s testing boundaries or simply oblivious to the fallout, one thing is clear: the NBA won’t take kindly to this latest provocation.