Ja Morant defies criticism from Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith and says he will keep using grenade celebration | NBA News

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The basketball star Ja Morant finds himself in public attention because of his celebration. His recent Timberwolves game celebration became viral content during which Barkley and Smith levied negative comments. The Grizzlies guard chooses to remain in his current position. Old disputes have returned while fresh confrontations ignite thus leading the self-expression-professionalism conflict to its breaking point.

NBA Legends slam Ja Morant’s grenade celebration

Morant performed a grenade throw motion after scoring a three-pointer against the Minnesota Timberwolves during a game and drew negative assessments from NBA analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. The analyst Smith cautioned against any celebration that resembled violent acts whereas Barkley described the gesture as “Immature” referring to Morant’s previous suspension regarding firearms.
After this Ja Morant wasn’t one of the people who would keep quiet and he didn’t, he said, “That’s my celebration now until somebody else has a problem with it, and I’ll find another one.”
The reaction from the “NBA on TNT” team was quick and direct. Kenny Smith voiced his worries about the message behind Morant’s gesture, emphasizing that celebrations like that should be kept in check because of their violent associations.
Even with all the backlash, Morant isn’t backing down. He mentioned that the grenade toss is his new way to celebrate and plans to keep it up unless told to stop. To make things even more controversial, he also did a machine gun gesture during that same game, raising more eyebrows considering his past with gun-related issues.
While there are critics of Morant’s actions, many have stepped up to support him. Shaquille O’Neal mentioned that the grenade gesture was likely just a tactic to get media coverage. Former NBA players John Salley and Robert Horry also came to his defense, stating that his celebrations are being taken the wrong way and aren’t about promoting violence.
In early April 2025, the NBA hit Morant with a $75,000 fine for making a finger gun gesture during games against the Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat. The league had already cautioned him about the inappropriateness of such actions, especially given his history of suspensions related to firearms.
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As the Grizzlies continue their season, Morant’s actions are fueling discussions about player conduct and the balance between lively celebrations and inappropriate behavior. With a current record of 47-33 and a significant game against the Denver Nuggets approaching, the focus is on their playoff ambitions and the issues surrounding their star player.