The NBA is investigating a gesture made by Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant that could be construed as mimicking shooting a gun, ESPN reported on Wednesday.
Morant extended his left arm and was seen using the finger gun gesture to taunt the members of the Golden State Warriors during Tuesday’s game.
Golden State’s Jimmy Butler sank a free throw to boost his team’s lead to 132-125 with 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
After Memphis called a timeout, Morant made the gesture as the players on the court were walking to their respective benches. Warriors forward Draymond Green appeared to approach an official after Morant made the gesture.
Golden State’s Buddy Hield made a similar gesture from the bench prior to Butler’s free-throw attempt. Hield and Morant were both whistled for technical fouls. The Warriors won the game 134-125.
Morant, 25, has been suspended on two occasions by the league for showing a handgun on social media.
The two-time All-Star was banned eight games without pay in March 2023 for brandishing a firearm in an Instagram Live video.
A video of Morant posing with a firearm surfaced online, leading to the NBA conducting an investigation which resulted in a 25-game suspension to start the 2023-24 season.
