Controversy has once again engulfed Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, after the NBA fined him $75,000 for two recent in-game celebrations that many interpreted as gestures alluding to gun ownership—gestures that drew sharp criticism from Hall of Famer Charles Barkley during a national broadcast.
Rather than adjusting his behavior, Ja Morant debuted a new celebration mimicking the throwing of a grenade toward the crowd. The controversial gesture was repeated during the Grizzlies’ 141–125 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night at the FedEx Forum.
The incident, broadcast on national television, provided a platform for Charles Barkley to strongly criticize Morant’s conduct. Speaking on TNT, Barkley expressed his disapproval, describing the guard’s actions as immature and potentially harmful to both the team and the league.
“I know one person’s happy right now,” Barkley said. “Taylor Jenkins ain’t got to deal with this crap. He’s going to get another job he deserves rather than deal with this immature stuff.“
Barkley was referencing the recent dismissal of Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, implying that one silver lining of the coaching change is no longer having to manage Morant’s off-court distractions.
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Morant: A history of troubling behavior
Kenny Smith, Barkley’s TNT colleague, also weighed in on the controversy: “He has a history that maybe he should leave the celebrations where people might die alone,“ Smith remarked, clearly referencing Morant’s past incidents involving firearms.
Morant’s history with guns is well documented. In 2023, he was suspended twice by the NBA after appearing on Instagram Live while brandishing a firearm. These past actions give a more serious context to his recent “grenade” celebration, which many view as a tone-deaf provocation lacking sensitivity and self-awareness.
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What’s next for Morant?
The NBA is now expected to review Morant’s latest behavior. Given his prior suspensions and the league’s firm stance on promoting a responsible public image, further disciplinary action may be forthcoming. This latest incident further illustrates the challenge facing the league in balancing players’ freedom of expression with its commitment to upholding professionalism and avoiding associations with violence.
