Ex-NBA stars call out Ja Morant over grenade celebration

Memphis Grizzlies prima Ja Morant raised eyebrows earlier this week erstwhile helium performed a grenade solemnisation a week aft getting fined for utilizing weapon gestures.

Morant faced disapproval for the caller solemnisation maneuver from erstwhile NBA stars Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith connected Thursday night. 

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Memphis Grizzlies defender Ja Morant, #12, reacts aft a three-point handbasket during the archetypal 4th against the Minnesota Timberwolves astatine FedExForum successful Memphis, Tennessee, connected April 10, 2025. (Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)

"He has a past that possibly helium should permission the celebrations wherever radical mightiness dice alone," Smith advised during the "Inside the NBA" broadcast.

Barkley called it "immature" and predicted that erstwhile Grizzlies caput manager Taylor Jenkins was blessed that helium did not "have to woody with is crap" anymore.

Morant, again, did the grenade celebration, mimicking throwing 1 into the assemblage and covering his ears for the imaginary explosion. The Grizzlies prima received overmuch disapproval implicit the people of the week, and helium responded to it connected Thursday earlier the team’s nonaccomplishment to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"That's my solemnisation present until idiosyncratic other has a occupation with it, and I'll find different one," helium said.

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Memphis Grizzlies interim caput manager Tuomas Iisalo, left, talks with defender Ja Morant, #12, successful the 2nd fractional of an NBA hoops crippled against the Minnesota Timberwolves connected Thursday, April 10, 2025, successful Memphis, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Morant was suspended for 25 games astatine the commencement of the 2023-24 play aft respective gun-related issues came to light. He was fined past week for gun-aiming gestures that were deemed to beryllium "inappropriate." He had received a informing earlier the fine.

"He knows what he's doing, due to the fact that y'all are going to support talking astir it.," Shaquille O’Neal added connected the TNT broadcast.

Morant’s teammate Vince Williams Jr. backed the guard, saying helium "would person went to that too."

"It's bully for him," Williams said. "He gets to prevention his money. Anything that benefits him redeeming his money, I'm each for it, honestly."

Despite the loss, the Grizzlies are inactive successful the playoffs but are warring to get retired of the play-in bracket. Right now, they would beryllium the No. 7 effect and would person to look the Dallas Mavericks.

Memphis Grizzlies defender Ja Morant, #12, handles the shot against Minnesota Timberwolves defender Anthony Edwards, #5, successful the 2nd fractional of an NBA hoops crippled connected Thursday, April 10, 2025 successful Memphis, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

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However, with 2 games left, the squad is conscionable a tiebreaker down the Golden State Warriors for the No. 6 effect and a crippled down the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers for a imaginable No. 4 oregon No. 5 seed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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