The NBA issued warnings to Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and Warriors guard Buddy Hield for gestures the two players made toward each other during Tuesday’s game, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY on Thursday.
Late in the game at FedExForum, the teams were walking toward their respective benches after Jimmy Butler made a pair of free throws. Morant looked at the Warriors’ bench, where Hield was, and made a gesture that looked like the one he normally makes after hitting a 3-point shot.
Some interpreted it as “finger gun gestures.” The NBA had been investigating the situation before Thursday’s decision.
Hield made the same gesture at Morant. Both players were assessed technical fouls.
The Warriors beat the Grizzlies 134-125 to climb above them in the Western Conference standings.
ja this .. ja that .. 😂
— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) April 2, 2025
The incident was not addressed postgame, but Morant posted on social media platform X after the news came out on Wednesday that the NBA was investigating it.
“ja this .. ja that ..” he posted.
The incident drew plenty of discussion on social media throughout Tuesday and Wednesday.
Morant has twice been suspended by the league for showing a gun on social media. The second incident, in 2023, resulted in a 25-game suspension at the start of the 2023-24 season.
The Grizzlies (44-32) are back in action on Thursday when they play the Heat in Miami
