Ja Marant Makes Gun Gesture During NBA Game, Says “I Don’t Care Anymore”

Nationwide — Ja Morant, the electrifying Memphis Grizzlies guard, stirred controversy again Thursday night after making a finger gun gesture during a game against the Miami Heat, despite reportedly being warned by the NBA earlier in the week for similar behavior. Morant later delivered the game-winning shot, lifting his team to a thrilling 110-108 victory and ending a four-game losing streak. The moment marked another chapter in the 24-year-old’s turbulent relationship with league officials, who have previously disciplined him for his conduct off the court.

ESPN reports Morant’s gesture came after he nailed a three-pointer in the first quarter. This follows a similar incident earlier in the week involving Morant and Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield, where both players reportedly made the same gesture toward each other. ESPN’s Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon reported that both players received official warnings from the NBA for the exchange.

Despite the backlash, Morant appears unfazed. “I’m kind of used to it,” he told the Associated Press. “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.” His defiant comments reflect a broader tension between his growing superstardom and the league’s expectations of player conduct.

Morant has already served two suspensions for appearing to flash a firearm during Instagram Live sessions in 2023. The first incident led to an eight-game suspension in March, and a second incident resulted in a 25-game suspension in June, forcing him to miss the start of the 2023-24 season. These events raised concerns about his role as a public figure and role model.

After the second suspension, Morant issued a public apology, addressing fans and corporate sponsors. “To the kids who look up to me, I’m sorry for failing you as a role model,” he said. “I promise I’m going to be better. To all of my sponsors, I’m going to be a better representation of our brands. And to all of my fans, I’m going to make it up to you, I promise.” Whether those promises hold weight remains to be seen as new controversies continue to emerge.

On the court, Morant was nearly unstoppable on Thursday, finishing with 30 points and hitting a dramatic buzzer-beating fadeaway jumper to seal the win for Memphis. The Grizzlies, now holding the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference, broke their recent losing streak. Meanwhile, Tyler Herro led the Miami Heat with a game-high 35 points, and Bam Adebayo contributed 26. Despite their strong efforts, Miami’s six-game winning streak came to an end, and they remain ninth in the Eastern Conference standings.