Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant came under fire for a celebration that he did during the team’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.
Morant, who missed the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season due to a suspension for displaying a firearm on Instagram Live, was questioned by users on social media for appearing to mimic the use of a gun after he completed a dunk.
AYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/hwVXbU5UY7
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) December 27, 2023
Lmaoooooooooo learning nothing >>> https://t.co/FaXwLnHAB7
— Kazeem Famuyide 🇳🇬 🍎 (@Kazeem) December 27, 2023
he ain’t learn shit 🔥😂 https://t.co/bCsN9MBFm2
— Travonne Edwards (@Travonne) December 27, 2023
The optics of ja morant own employer promoting the flashing of gun hand motions after coming back from a 25 game suspension is insane 💀💀 https://t.co/zFqUdsCDbj
— John (@iam_johnw) December 27, 2023
Morant seemed to clarify that he was paying homage to a celebration done by the Louisiana State University football team, which makes sense since the Grizzlies were facing New Orleans.
Ja Morant pulled out that BR cellyyyyyyy😂😂😂😂😂🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/IF5379EDg9 pic.twitter.com/25Kdw6u8hE
— Racqy Balboa ❤️🍨 (@RacqyDaRuler) December 27, 2023
you gotta rock ya hips 😂🕺🏽 https://t.co/A7Y6Cvxng0
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) December 27, 2023
Despite that, former NBA guard Lou Williams had some advice for the Grizzlies star, suggesting that he stop doing celebrations with arms.
"The NBA is watching, don't do anything, that got anything, with any kind of arms, my brother. Stop it."@TeamLou23 shared his thoughts on Ja Morant's celebration. pic.twitter.com/HKYbMXJeUO
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) December 27, 2023
Williams pointed out that the Grizzlies are undefeated since Morant returned, which means there are even more eyes on the team since it is playing well.
The former Sixth Man of the Year explained that everything Morant does from here on out is going to be scrutinized.
It’s hard to argue with Williams’ take, and Morant certainly doesn’t want to end up suspended again.
Memphis struggled in the 25 games that Morant missed, going just 6-19. Now, the team has both Morant and veteran guard Marcus Smart back in the lineup. Smart had been out with an injury for a good chunk of the 2023-24 season.
Since Morant returned, Memphis is 4-0, knocking off New Orleans twice, the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks.
Morant has been terrific in those games, showing why he’s one of the best guards in the NBA. The former Rookie of the Year is averaging 28.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game while shooting 50.6 percent from the field.
The Grizzlies are still the No. 13 seed in the Western Conference, but the team has a legit chance to make the playoffs with a large chunk of the season still left to go.
Hopefully, Williams’ advice will reach Morant and he’ll avoid any sort of controversy throughout the rest of this season.
