The NBA will not penalize Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield for hand gestures that can be construed as shooting a gun, a person with knowledge of the league’s decision told USA TODAY Sports.
The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the league’s decision.
Both teams and players were warned that the gesture is inappropriate and urged not to make those gestures moving forward. The Grizzlies have been doing that gesture as a celebration all season, and other players make similar gestures, especially after making a 3-point shot.
Golden State’s Jimmy Butler had just made the second of two free throws giving the Warriors a 132-125 lead with 20.8 seconds left, and Memphis called timeout. As both teams headed to their respective benches, Morant made the gesture at Golden State’s bench.
Hield made a similar gesture from the bench just before Butler made the second free throw. Hield and Morant were both given technical fouls, and NBA executive vice president and head of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars and his staff reviewed and talked to the teams and players Wednesday.
The players and teams involved said they were not making violent gestures.
Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels does a similar gesture after making 3-pointers and was not fined for making the gesture toward New Orleans’ bench during a game earlier this season. Other players have been fined for mimicking gun gestures, including Gerald Green and Josh Jackson.
Morant’s involvement draws closer scrutiny because he has been suspended twice by the league for showing a handgun on social media.
Morant was suspended 25 games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league in 2023. ‘Morant posed with a firearm in a car during a live-streamed video on May 13, less than two months after he was suspended eight games without pay for the live streaming of a video on March 4 in which he displayed a firearm while in an intoxicated state at a Denver area nightclub,’ the league said in a statement on June 16, 2023.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said at the time: ‘Ja Morant’s decision to once again wield a firearm on social media is alarming and disconcerting given his similar conduct in March for which he was already suspended eight games. The potential for other young people to emulate Ja’s conduct is particularly concerning. Under these circumstances, we believe a suspension of 25 games is appropriate and makes clear that engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior with guns will not be tolerated.’