Following Thursday's buzzer-beating 110-108 win versus the Miami Heat, Ja Morant said he is used to the villain role that many have labeled him with over the last couple of years. Well, with that role can also come consequences. And the NBA is dealing them out. The Memphis Grizzlies star is being fined $75,000 for twice breaking out a finger-gun gesture on the court, per the league.

Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations and Detroit Pistons great Joe Dumars revealed the news on Friday. Morant, who was suspended twice in 2023 for flashing a gun on video, engaged in the celebration during Tuesday's showdown with the Golden State Warriors. He and Buddy Hield– did it in retaliation to Morant– were issued a stern warning from the NBA.

The 25-year-old point guard did not waste much time disregarding the message. Perhaps fueled by the boos raining down upon him, Morant chose to express himself in a similar manner. He then even threw shade at Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware after sinking the buzzer-beater over him, calling the impressive rookie a pigeon in his postgame interview with TNT's Taylor Rooks. The 2022 All-NBA Second-Team selection had no qualms about doing and saying what he wanted in the Kaseya Center.

But maybe he will now. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has formally punished Morant before in regards to gun-centric displays, but one has to wonder if No. 12 will now decide to remove the finger-gun celebration from his repertoire. The penalties will presumably only get steeper from this point forward.

Memphis (45-32) is already mired in scrutiny and controversy after abruptly dismissing head coach Taylor Jenkins in late-March. Additional distractions could potentially ravage this locker room at the most crucial time of the year. The Grizzlies' focus must revolve around avoiding the NBA Play-In Tournament and setting themselves up for a favorable path in the 2025 playoffs.

And although his role in the offense has been less defined this year, Ja Morant is still arguably the biggest factor in that quest. He proved that on Thursday night, dropping 30 points in a desperately-needed road win. Now, Morant will be asked to illustrate the same moving forward, both as a player and leader.