Ex-nba Stars Call Out Ja Morant Over Grenade Celebration

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

Morant faced disapproval for nan caller ceremony 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 nan first 4th against nan Minnesota Timberwolves astatine FedExForum successful Memphis, Tennessee, connected April 10, 2025. (Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)

"He has a history that possibly he should time off nan celebrations wherever group mightiness dice alone," Smith advised during nan "Inside nan NBA" broadcast.

Barkley called it "immature" and predicted that erstwhile Grizzlies caput coach Taylor Jenkins was happy that he did not "have to woody pinch is crap" anymore.

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

"That's my ceremony now until personification other has a problem pinch it, and I'll find different one," he said.

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

Morant was suspended for 25 games astatine nan commencement of nan 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 nan fine.

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

Morant’s teammate Vince Williams Jr. backed nan guard, saying he "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 nan loss, nan Grizzlies are still successful nan playoffs but are fighting to get retired of nan play-in bracket. Right now, they would beryllium nan No. 7 seed and would person to look nan Dallas Mavericks.

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

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

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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