Ahead of a pivotal play-in matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors, the NBA made a major announcement regarding star point guard Ja Morant. The league has fined Morant $75,000 for making finger gun gestures during recent games against the Warriors and the Miami Heat. This decision reignites controversy surrounding Morant, who has already served a 25-game suspension earlier this season for flashing a real firearm on social media—a move that generated widespread backlash and forced the league to reevaluate its stance on player conduct.
The fine underscores the NBA’s heightened sensitivity to gun-related imagery, especially considering Morant’s past behavior. The league’s disciplinary actions send a clear message that even symbolic or playful gestures can carry weight and won’t be tolerated, particularly when tied to players with prior infractions.
Compounding matters for the Grizzlies, Morant has also been ruled out of the game due to right knee soreness. The injury reportedly occurred during a physical scramble in Game 3 of the series, where Warriors guard Jordan Poole appeared to grab Morant’s knee while going after a loose ball. The incident drew scrutiny, but the league did not issue any punishment to Poole. Morant limped off the court following the play and was unable to participate in any team activities in the days leading up to this high-stakes contest.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins addressed Morant’s status during a press conference, noting that the star guard is “likely to miss” the game and will continue to be evaluated. The absence of Morant is a major blow to Memphis, who already entered the postseason with a battered lineup. Without their floor general and emotional leader, the Grizzlies face an uphill battle against a Warriors team fighting to extend their championship window.
The play-in game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM PDT (10:00 PM EDT) at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The winner of this crucial clash will claim the seventh seed in the Western Conference and earn a first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets. For Golden State, it could be one of the last chances to make a meaningful run with their aging core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. For Memphis, it’s about proving they can weather adversity and still compete at the highest level without their star.
As the game approaches, all eyes remain on the fallout surrounding Morant. The combination of the league’s disciplinary action and his untimely injury casts a shadow over what should have been a marquee showdown between two of the NBA’s most dynamic teams. The situation raises deeper questions about Morant’s future in the league and whether the Grizzlies can depend on him to lead the franchise moving forward. For now, Memphis must look to the rest of its young core to step up—and possibly pull off a major upset without their biggest weapon on the court.
