During a heated game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies, Ja Morant stirred controversy with an all-too-familiar hand gesture directed at Lakers star Anthony Davis. After his teammate Santi Aldama hit a three-pointer, Morant made a “gun-like” motion toward Davis, a gesture that immediately set off reactions from fans and critics alike.
Given Morant’s history with firearms and previous suspensions tied to similar conduct, fans were quick to express disappointment and frustration over the incident on social media.
Morant’s past issues with gun-related behavior have marred his reputation over the last year. Earlier, the Grizzlies guard faced multiple suspensions after incidents involving firearms surfaced on social media, leading to a massive backlash and calls for him to display more maturity.
As a result, fans are hypersensitive to any action from Morant that resembles his past missteps. His latest gesture seemed to reopen old wounds, with many questioning why he would engage in behavior that echoes his prior controversies, especially in such a public setting.
The Lakers’ 128-123 victory over the Grizzlies was fueled by impressive performances from LeBron James, who recorded his third consecutive triple-double, and Anthony Davis, who played a crucial role despite battling foul trouble. Davis hit two critical three-pointers in the fourth quarter, helping the Lakers seal their comeback victory.
After sinking his second three, Davis directed some trash talk towards Ja Morant’s father, Tee Morant, who was sitting courtside.
This back-and-forth seemed to add an extra layer of intensity to the game, and Morant’s hand gesture toward Davis only heightened the rivalry between the two teams.
This season, the tension between the Lakers and Grizzlies has been simmering, partly due to previous playoff clashes and trash talk. During the 2023 season's playoffs, Grizzlies players, especially Dillon Brooks, took verbal jabs at LeBron James and the Lakers.
Morant has made it clear over the years that he isn’t exactly fond of the Los Angeles Lakers. His disdain likely stems from their high-profile clashes in the Western Conference, particularly last season when the Lakers eliminated the Grizzlies in the playoffs.
Morant has cited moments when the Lakers “disrespected” him and the Grizzlies, especially when he was sidelined and watched the Lakers celebrating on their home court.
Despite his verbal jabs, the rivalry backfired spectacularly last season. The Lakers responded to the Grizzlies’ chatter with veteran poise, dominating them in critical games and ultimately finishing the series with a 40-point blowout. That humiliating loss forced Morant to do what fans have since called the “walk of shame.”
The image of Morant walking off the court at Crypto.com Arena, surrounded by gleeful Lakers fans taunting him, left a lasting impression. While Morant did his best to play along with fans, even smiling as they jeered, the moment was humbling and highlighted the dangers of excessive trash talk, especially when it’s not backed by victory on the court.
This season, the rivalry picked up right where it left off, with the Grizzlies trying to assert their dominance against the veteran Lakers. For Morant, the Lakers represent a challenge he’s eager to overcome, but his antics sometimes overshadow his talent on the court.
In the current matchup, the Lakers had initially gained a 10-point lead, only to see it disappear as the Grizzlies surged back. Davis found himself on the bench due to foul trouble, leaving the Lakers vulnerable. However, LeBron, along with key performances from Dalton Knecht and Christian Koloko, helped the Lakers reclaim control late in the game.
Knecht hit crucial three-pointers, and Koloko’s defense in the paint kept the Grizzlies from taking over. Davis’s two clutch threes in the final minutes ultimately gave the Lakers the edge, securing a morale-boosting victory against their Western Conference rivals.
For Morant, this incident serves as another reminder of the scrutiny surrounding his actions. Fans, analysts, and even former players have urged him to prioritize his professionalism, especially in light of past controversies. The Grizzlies star is undeniably one of the league’s most talented guards, but continued gestures that echo his previous issues could impact his legacy. As a face of the franchise and a potential NBA superstar, Morant’s actions on and off the court carry significant weight.
The Lakers, now looking to build on their win, will face the San Antonio Spurs next in their opening NBA Cup game. Meanwhile, Morant’s gesture will undoubtedly remain a topic of conversation as fans debate whether he’s truly learned from his past. The rivalry between the Lakers and Grizzlies shows no sign of cooling off, but if Morant aims to lead his team with maturity, he’ll need to leave these types of gestures behind.
