The star of Memphis Grizzlies, Ja Morant, may not have physically had a firearm, but a gesture linked to the weapon on the field led to an investigation by the NBA, according to ESPN.
During the Grizzlies match against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday evening, Morant was seen to make a pistol gesture towards the Warriors bench.
The act saw Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, two stars of Golden State, visibly turned upside down on hardwood, the latter trying to plead to the referee that something should be done to discipline more.
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Memphis Ja Morant Dribble’s Grizzle Guardian while the Golden State Warriors Brandin Podziemski goalkeeper defends in Fedexforum. (Petre Thomas-Imagn images)
It was not the only gesture linked to the weapon of the night, because Buddy Hield of the Warriors was also seen to do the same during the Morant clip which became viral.
MORANT republished a photo of an X account, which showed this moment.
League officials will examine both fun and Herder after the Tuesday evening match and “will speak to the games involved on Wednesday,” said ESPN.
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The story of more with suspensions linked to firearms has exploded the gesture through the world of basketball.
He was suspended for eight games in March 2023 after brandishing a handgun on social networks at the Willie strip-club rifle outside Denver.
Then, more, was moored the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season after having flocked again a handgun on a live video on social networks.
Memphis Grizzlies JA MORANTE fired on the Golden State Warriors Center Quinten Post in Fedexforum. (Petre Thomas-Imagn images)
“JA Morant’s decision to miss a firearm on social networks once again is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver, at the time of his second suspension.
“The potential for other young people to imitate JA’s conduct is particularly worrying. In these circumstances, we believe that a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and clearly shows that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behaviors with firearms will not be tolerated.
“For JA, basketball must take a rear seat for the moment. Before his return to the game, he will have to formulate and carry out a program with the League which directly approaches the circumstances which led him to repeat this destructive behavior.”
Morant commented at the time, saying that he realized “how much I caused injury”.
“I want to apologize to the NBA, Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis. For Adam Silver, Zach Kleiman and Robert Pera – who gave me the opportunity to be a professional athlete and supported me – I am sorry for the evil I have done. For the children who are looking for me, I’m sorry to make you fail. I’m going to catch up, I promise it. “
Memphis Ja Morant’s guardian reacts after a basket against the Golden State Warriors. (Petre Thomas-Imagn images)
The 25 -year -old leader has played 46 games this season, where he has an average of 22.7 points, 7.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 interceptions per match, while firing 45.4% on the field.
Grizzlies are sixth in the classification of the Western Conference with a record of 44-32 in what is an animated race towards the playoffs.
