Memphis Grizzlies star yes morant raised eyebrows earlier this week when he performed a grenade party a week after being fined for using gun movements.
Morant was facing criticism for the new party maneuver from former NBA stars Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith on Thursday night.
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Memphis Grizzlies Guard Ja Morant, #12, responds after a three-point basket during the first quarter against Minnesota Timberwolves at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, April 10, 2025. (Petre Thomas-Preferred Pictures)
“He has a story that he might have to leave the celebrations where people might die alone,” Smith advised during the “Inside the NBA” broadcast.
Barkley called it “immature” and predicted that former Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins was glad he didn’t “have dealing with is crap” anymore.
Morant again made the grenade celebration, mimicked thrown one into the crowd and covered the ears of the imaginary explosion. The Grizzlies star received a lot of criticism during the week, and he responded to the Thursday before the team’s loss to Minnesota Timberwolves.
“It’s my party now until someone else has a problem with it, and I find someone else,” he said.
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Memphis Grizzlies Temporary Head coach Tuomas Iisalo, Left, talking to Guard yes Morant, #12, in the second half of a NBA basketball match against Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, April 10, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Morant was suspended in 25 games at the start of the 2023-24 season after several gun-related problems emerged. He was fined last week for having gun-year movements that were considered “inappropriate.” He had received a warning before the fine.
“He knows what he’s doing because you want to keep talking about it.” Shaquille O’Neal added to the TNT broadcast.
Morant’s teammate Vince Williams Jr. supported the guard and said he “would have gone to it too.”
“It’s good for him,” Williams said. “He gets saved his money. Everything that benefits him to save his money. I’m all for it, honest.”
Despite the loss, Grizzlies is still in the playoffs, but struggling to get out of the play-in bracket. Right now they would be No. 7 seeds and had to meet Dallas Mavericks.
Memphis Grizzlies Guard Ja Morant, #12, handles the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves Guard Anthony Edwards, #5, in the second half of a NBA basketball match on Thursday, April 10, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
But with two matches left, the team is just a draw behind the Golden State Warriors to No. 6 Seeds and a game behind Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers for a possible # 4 or No. 5 seeds.
