Ja Morant just can’t help himself, and the NBA might have something to say about it. The Memphis Grizzlies point guard lit up London’s O2 Arena on Sunday, but it wasn’t just his 24-point, 13-assist performance in a dominant 126-109 victory over the Orlando Magic that had fans talking.

After draining a deep three-pointer, Morant unleashed his now-signature ‘bazooka’ celebration, sending social media into a frenzy and reigniting familiar questions about where the league draws the line on player expression.

Morant was electric in the first half alone, pouring in 20 points while orchestrating Memphis’s offense with surgical precision. He finished with five rebounds to complete an impressive stat line. Yet once again, the 26-year-old’s flair for the dramatic overshadowed his on-court brilliance.

Speculation about potential league discipline began almost immediately, though the NBA has not announced any punishment as of this writing.

For Morant—already a hot name in trade rumors—it’s just another chapter in his reputation for pushing boundaries, both as a talent and as a personality the league can’t quite figure out how to handle.

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This was a statement performance for Morant and also for the Grizzlies, as the 26-year-old, who is among the trade rumors in the last few days, is returning to action after six games due to a right calf strain.

Morant announced his return with a record performance and a controversial celebration. He became the first player in the franchise’s history to record 20 points and 10 assists in a half since the 1997-98 season.

He also chose the perfect occasion to register a record performance, as it was the NBA’s first regular-season game in London since 2019.

This isn’t the first time Ja Morant has turned a game-winning moment into a viral spectacle—nor is it the first time the NBA has had to respond.

In April 2025, Morant unleashed a grenade celebration after a deep three against the Charlotte Hornets, miming the removal of a pin with his teeth before “throwing” the imaginary grenade toward the crowd and covering his ears.

He repeated the move just days later against the Golden State Warriors, this time with even more flair. That same month, he also pulled off a gun-themed celebration against the Miami Heat—prompting an immediate $75,000 fine from the league.

The NBA has long viewed such weapon-based gestures as inappropriate, and Morant has become one of the league’s most consistent offenders. While fans celebrate his creativity and flair, the league sees these moments as crossing a line—especially when they involve simulated weapons, even if they’re clearly theatrical.

Moreover, in March 2023, he was suspended for eight games, followed by a 25-game suspension beginning in December 2023, after displaying real firearms on Instagram Live, conduct that the NBA deemed detrimental to the league.

By contrast, a similar celebratory gesture by another player drew no punishment. On January 14, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo mimicked Morant’s “block the noise” grenade celebration—pulling a pin, tossing it, and covering his ears—after hitting a clutch three-pointer in a win over the Phoenix Suns.

The gesture sparked social media buzz and trade speculation, but the league issued no fine or disciplinary action.

Despite his superb performance, it is unfortunate that his association with the Grizzlies, the team that drafted him as the second overall pick in 2019, is ending as they are ready to trade him away in exchange for young players and draft picks.

Memphis even rejected his extension as they want to rebuild around their young core.

Ja Morant breaks silence on his future with the Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant took the NBA by storm in his rookie season, shaking everyone with his scoring, versatility, and, most importantly, his athleticism. He won the 2020 Rookie of the Year award and was already considered a future superstar, given his potential and raw talent.

However, six years later, he has been a shadow of himself. While Injuries hampered his explosiveness, his off-the-court controversies ruined his reputation. Therefore, once considered the face of the franchise, could now be standing on the brink of a final adieu. He will likely be traded before the February trade deadline.

However, when asked about his future destination, Morant once again made it clear that he is too emotionally attached to the Grizzlies.

“Anybody who in here knows me knows I’m a very loyal guy. I have a logo on my back (Grizzlies tattoo), so that should say exactly what I want,” Morant said on the post-game availability when Marc Stein asked about his desired trade destination.

He was also very grateful for all the support and love that he was receiving in London. With the writing already on the wall, Morant is clearly taking one game at a time and soaking up all the love as a Grizzlies player. “Just the love. I’m able to see not only I got love back home, but I got it here too. Fans constantly calling my name and cheering when I score. Thats big time,” Morant said at the on-court interview right after the win.

For now, the Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat, and Toronto Raptors emerge as top trade destinations for the two-time All-Star as the trade market is extremely frosty for guards with big contracts.