Ja Morant continues trend of controversial celebrations by mimicking a grenade throw in Grizzlies win over Hornets

CNN - Apr 9th, 2025
Open on CNN

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant stirred up controversy once more with a new celebratory gesture during a game against the Charlotte Hornets, mimicking a grenade throw after a three-pointer. This act followed a recent $75,000 fine for a finger-gun gesture and previous suspensions for flashing a gun on Instagram. Despite the commotion, Morant led the Grizzlies to a 124-100 victory, scoring 28 points. The Grizzlies' interim head coach, Tuomas Iisalo, and Morant did not comment on the celebration post-game. Alongside Morant's performance, Desmond Bane and Zach Edey contributed significantly to the win, with the team now holding a 47-32 record in the Western Conference.

The game was overshadowed by a severe injury to rookie Jaylen Wells, who was stretchered off after a dangerous fall caused by Hornets guard KJ Simpson, leading to Simpson's ejection. Wells suffered a broken wrist but fortunately retained movement in all extremities. Iisalo expressed deep concern for Wells, highlighting the gravity of the situation amid the team's recent successes. The Grizzlies now face the Minnesota Timberwolves as they continue their campaign, navigating both victories and challenges in the wake of their coaching change and Morant's ongoing controversies.

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RATING

6.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article effectively captures the drama and controversy surrounding Ja Morant's actions during a recent NBA game. It provides a clear and timely account of the events, making it relevant to readers interested in sports news. However, the story would benefit from greater source transparency and a more balanced perspective, including input from the NBA and other stakeholders. The focus on Morant's past controversies and the lack of broader context limit the article's potential impact and engagement. Despite these limitations, the article remains accessible and engaging, with a high potential to spark discussion and debate among readers.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story accurately reports Ja Morant's controversial celebration and the NBA's previous fines related to his on-court gestures. The claim that Morant mimicked throwing a grenade during a game against the Charlotte Hornets aligns with verified reports. Additionally, the story correctly notes the $75,000 fine imposed by the NBA for prior inappropriate gestures. However, the article mentions the firing of Taylor Jenkins, which requires verification as it is a significant claim. The article also correctly states Morant's performance in the game and the injury to Jaylen Wells, both of which are consistent with other reports. Overall, the article presents verifiable facts, but some claims, like the coaching change, need further confirmation.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on Ja Morant's actions and the game's outcome, with limited exploration of broader perspectives. While it mentions the reactions of Morant and the Grizzlies' interim head coach, it lacks input from the NBA, the Hornets, or other stakeholders. The story could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including reactions from league officials or fans. Additionally, the emphasis on Morant's past controversies might overshadow other relevant aspects, such as the team's overall performance or the significance of the victory.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, providing a coherent narrative of the events surrounding Ja Morant's controversial celebration. The language is straightforward, and the story flows logically from Morant's actions to the game's outcome and related incidents. However, some details, such as the coaching change, could be more explicitly explained to avoid potential confusion. Overall, the article maintains a neutral tone and effectively communicates the key points of the story.

5
Source quality

The article does not cite specific sources, which affects its credibility. It lacks direct quotes from involved parties or references to official statements from the NBA or the teams involved. The absence of source attribution makes it challenging to assess the reliability of the information presented. For a more robust evaluation, the article would benefit from including authoritative sources, such as official NBA communications or interviews with team representatives.

4
Transparency

The article provides limited transparency regarding its information sources and methodologies. It does not disclose how the information was obtained or whether any conflicts of interest might affect the reporting. The lack of transparency makes it difficult for readers to evaluate the basis of the claims made. Greater transparency could be achieved by clarifying the sources of information and acknowledging any potential biases or limitations in the reporting process.

Sources

  1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/nba/top-stories/memphis-grizzlies-ja-morant-sparks-controversy-with-grenade-celebration-after-scoring-against-charlotte-hornets/articleshow/120120043.cms
  2. https://www.threads.net/@ballislife/post/DIObgHcuvvM/video-ja-morant-showed-off-his-new-grenade-celebration-in-the-24-point-win-against-the