In 2023, Ja Morant already had two suspensions to his name. One for eight games and the second for 25 games, which was the 9th-longest ban in league history. But why? For displaying a firearm twice, which was why the second one was severe. However, it’s 2025, and the recent controversy surrounding the Grizzlies’ star centered on his celebration, which he amended after receiving stern advice from the NBA. Yet, the popularity grew through that even different athletes started doing it.

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. pulled the celly out after hitting a home run. The moment was special, too, because Acuna had been sidelined with a torn ACL since May 26, 2024. Yes, the Braves fans had to wait 162 games, but the home run from the Venezuelan was on his first pitch. An epic comeback requires an epic celebration, right? That’s why Acuna mimicked Ja Morant’s now-famous (and at times infamous) grenade celebration. Morant did it against the Hornets, enacting throwing a hand grenade into the crowd and covering his ears after a made bucket.

This left a mark on the Grizzlies star even then, and now he shared a message to the 27-year-old star. “Ron, what’s up, man? I’ve been seeing the love you’ve been showing with the celly every time you go yard out there, and I need you to go yard in these right here, brother.” In his Instagram story, he showed the custom cleats as a gift to Acuna Jr. “Got you your own 12 cleats… Instead of the ‘twelve,’ we’ve got the ‘thirteen’ on there for you, brother. Let’s go. Bombs away.”

Ronald Acuna Jr. wears #13 for the Braves; that’s why his custom shoes have thirteen. But it seems the legal trouble of Ja Morant is still going on, and this one is not from the NBA. It is an ongoing lawsuit filed by a teen he allegedly punched during a pickup basketball game three years ago. Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Carol Chumney ruled that Morant could not be sued because he acted in self-defense. However, the final verdict will only arrive after two key rulings in the coming weeks.

Judge Chumney agreed to hear two motions at the end of August, which will determine the fate of the case. Morant would be hoping to put it behind him soon, just like his case of the first viral celebration.

Ja Morant and his switch from one celebration to another

Owing to his past record of firearms, it would make sense if the 2x All-Star stayed away from even hinting at them. But the Grizzlies star did not think so. He used a finger g– gesture on the court, not once, but twice. Yes, first against the Warriors star Buddy Hield, who did not shy away from reciprocating the taunt. The NBA was never going to let that go, and both players immediately got penalized with a tech.

Ja Morant used the gesture again, this time against the Miami Heat, and guess what, Adam Silver put out a heavy fine. The 25-year-old was penalized with a $75,000 fine for “twice making an inappropriate gesture on the playing court.” That’s why the switch to the grenade celebration. This time, there was no fine, as the Grizzlies‘ star had a proper explanation.

“It’s not what you think it is. I’m gonna take my words, I’m gonna throw them out there, and I’mma block out the noise.” The Murray State alum claimed it was a metaphor for his critics who constantly doubt him. Maybe that’s why Ronald Acuna Jr. felt the celebration was appropriate for him. Because even the Braves’ star is known as an electric, unapologetic personality that not everybody is a fan of.