Ja Morant’s return on Tuesday night wasn’t just about buckets—it was about sending a message, too. After catching heat from the NBA for his finger gun celebration, Morant had to switch it up. And let’s be real, the man did not disappoint. The league had fined him $75K and handed out a warning after he mimicked firing guns following a three-pointer against the Heat—just days after doing the same thing versus the Warriors.
So what did Ja do next? He showed up against Charlotte with a brand-new celebration locked and loaded (figuratively, of course).
Early in the first quarter, Morant drilled a three and wasted zero time unveiling his latest move. Instead of the finger pistols, he pantomimed throwing a grenade, then cupped his ears like he was bracing for the explosion. It was dramatic. You know he was having fun with it, but it still felt like a jab at the league’s decision.
Mar 12, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant (12) celebrates a game ending three point make in the fourth quarter of the game at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Smith-Imagn Images
Ja’s grenade celly definitely got people talking—but not just courtside. As soon as clips hit social media, fans had a field day. Some thought it was genius, others couldn’t stop laughing, and of course, a few had strong opinions about the league’s response too.
Fans want a stricter punishment for Ja Morant’s celebrations
One fan summed it up best: “JA MORANT JUST THREW A GRENADE TO THE CROWD .” It’s wild, right? But here’s why that moment hit differently. The celebration wasn’t just some goofy mid-game antic—it was Morant’s not-so-subtle way of flipping the script after catching heat from the league. Remember, he already served a 25-game suspension earlier this season for flashing guns on Instagram Live. That’s why every move he makes now—especially one hinting at weapon imagery—draws extra attention.
Another fan brought the internet humor full circle with, “Ja ‘weapons menu’ Morant,” tagging it with a screenshot of the GTA weapons wheel. And honestly? That comparison isn’t too far off the mark. With how often Morant’s celebrations have stirred controversy—first the finger guns, now the grenade toss—it really does feel like he’s cycling through a virtual loadout.
Another fan wrote, “Ja Morant is making the NBA more entertaining but Adam Silver is a snowflake .” It’s blunt, but it taps into a real divide among fans. On one hand, Ja’s celebrations—whether it’s finger guns, grenades, or whatever he thinks of next—are pure entertainment. They bring energy, memes, and a little chaos, which a lot of fans crave in today’s NBA.
But on the flip side, the league office sees it differently. Adam Silver and the NBA are clearly trying to draw a hard line between what’s considered hype and what crosses into problematic territory. So when fans say things like this, it’s not just trolling. It reflects the growing debate over how much personality players should be allowed to show without getting hit with fines or warnings.
One fan didn’t hold back, writing, “Ja Morant makes 100k a day just off his NBA contract. If they really wanted to send a message about this dumb shit they’d start fining them millions not no bull s— 75k.” And honestly? They’ve got a point—at least financially.
Ja Morant makes 100k a day just off his NBA contract. If they really wanted to send a message about this dumb shit they’d start fining them millions not no bull shit 75k
— ZM (@XER177) April 9, 2025
Morant is on a 5-year, $197 million deal. That breaks down to roughly $106,000 per game day—not including endorsements or bonuses. So when the NBA hits him with a $75K fine, it’s essentially pocket change. For most of us, that’s life-changing money. For the Grizzlies star? That’s maybe one less iced-out chain or limited-edition pair of sneakers.
What the fan’s really saying is that the league’s disciplinary tactics might not be packing the punch they think they are.
One fan took the trolling to the next level, posting, “Grizzlies opponents will be giving fans in attendance a special uniform for Ja Morant’s next road games,” along with a photo of a bulletproof vest.
This type of reaction taps into the ongoing controversy surrounding Morant’s image. After all, this is the same player who served a 25-game suspension earlier this season for flashing actual firearms on social media—not once, but twice. So when Morant returns and swaps finger guns for pretend grenades, it’s no surprise the internet starts treating Grizzlies games like a parody of Call of Duty.
At the end of the day, jokes like this reflect more than just internet humor—they highlight the tightrope Morant continues to walk. One where every celebration, post, or gesture could either spark a laugh… or trigger another fine.
The post Everyone Is Saying the Same Thing About Ja Morant as Grizzlies Star Risks More Punishment From Adam Silver for Unnecessary Gesture appeared first on EssentiallySports.
