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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was fined $75,000 by the NBA for again making a gun gesture during a game, the league announced in a press release on Friday (April 4).
Morant, 25, who has twice served suspensions for incidents in which he brandished a firearm on social media, mimicked the act of using a gun during Thursday's (April 3) win against the Miami Heat, days after being warned about the same gesture during a game against the Golden State Warriors.
"Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been fined $75,000 for twice making an inappropriate gesture on the playing court, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations," the league said. "Morant was previously warned by the league office that this gesture could be interpreted in a negative light.
"The gestures were made by Morant during the Grizzlies' 110-108 victory over the Miami Heat on April 3 at Kaseya Center.
Morant and Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield were both reportedly issued warnings for an incident that took place during their teams' game at FedEx Forum Tuesday's (April 1) night, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN's Shams Charania. The reported decision came hours after Charania had reported that the NBA was probing Morant doing a gesture mimicking shooting a gun toward the Warriors' bench.
The Grizzlies' win against the Heat Thursday night came after the team had lost seven of its last eight games, falling to sixth in the Western Conference standings, while former head coach Taylor Jenkins was fired last Friday (March 28).