NBA Hands Down Punishment on Ja Morant, Buddy Hield for 'Inappropriate' Celebrations

Contributing Sports Writer

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The NBA has decided what to do following a clash between Memphis Grizzlies All-Star point guard Ja Morant and sharpshooting Golden State Warriors wing Buddy Hield.

Both players exchanged gestures in the heat of battle during Golden State's victory on Tuesday.

Ja Morant Grizzlies — Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum on April 01, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. Justin Ford/Getty Images

First, Hield made gun gestures with his hands in the direction of Morant.

Buddy Hield did the finger guns at Ja Morant first

(h/t @gritgrind) pic.twitter.com/AHcDnTH2OO
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) April 2, 2025

Next, a frustrated Morant made a finger gun gesture towards All-NBA Warriors point guard Stephen Curry and the club's bench.

Different angle of Ja Morant taunting Steph Curry and the Warriors bench after his finger gun gesture.

Curry was in disbelief.

(via memphissheri/TikTok)pic.twitter.com/Pl3ShFFxlv https://t.co/g8hvKZAxPf
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 2, 2025

Morant has a history of off-court controversies when it comes to firearm displays.

In September of 2022, Morant had threatened a 17-year-old boy with a gun in pickup game after a heated exchange. That same month, he had also issued threatening words towards a head of security at a Memphis mall, albeit with no firearm present.

Morant was suspended for eight games by the league in March 2023 after he posted footage of himself with a gun inside a Colorado strip club via Instagram Live.

More NBA News: Warriors Star to Miss Significant Time Just Before Postseason

In April of that same year, he allegedly threatened Indiana Pacers personnel with red laser beams being pointed in their direction postgame, although no punishment was ultimately doled out.

In May 2023, another Instagram Live video showed Morant brandishing a gun riding in a friend's vehicle. He was suspended for 25 games ahead of the 2023-24 season. Morant ultimately wound up suiting up for just nine contests last year. A shoulder injury ended his season.

This time, however, the league is opting not to punish Morant — or Hield — with any suspensions or fines.

Per Shams Charania of ESPN, the league has let off Morant and Hield with warnings only.

NBA issued warnings – no further penalties – to Grizzlies' Ja Morant and Warriors' Buddy Hield along with both teams for gestures on Tuesday night, sources tell ESPN. League ruled the celebrations were not intended to be violent in nature, but inappropriate and should refrain. https://t.co/WrjJW0NZxv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 3, 2025

Missing out on either Morant or Hield could have proven a major blow for both franchises with the playoffs looming.

Now boasting a 44-31 record and looking like a legitimate contender since trading for six-time All-Star wing Jimmy Butler, Golden State has won its last three straight (and seven of its last 10) to rocket up the Western Conference standings. Currently the No. 5 seed, the Warriors are just two games behind the 46-29 Los Angeles Lakers and the 47-30 Denver Nuggets.

Memphis, on the other hand, has been reeling of late, to the point where the team even fired former head coach Taylor Jenkins with just nine games remaining on its season slate. The Grizzlies have dropped their last four in a row and eight of their last 10 altogether, tumbling to the West's No. 8 seed with... a 44-32 record, just 0.5 games behind Golden State.

More NBA News:

Warriors' Jimmy Butler Breaks Silence on Heat Suspension Ahead of Matchup

Grizzlies Shockingly Fire Head Coach Taylor Jenkins Just Before Playoffs

Warriors' Draymond Green Angling for DPOY After Victor Wembyanama Injury

For more Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and general NBA news and rumors, stay tuned to Newsweek Sports.