Ja Morant avoids penalty in lawsuit over altercation with teen
A civil lawsuit filed against Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has officially been dismissed, putting an end to a two-year legal dispute stemming from a heated pickup basketball game.
The case centered around a July 2022 incident involving 17-year-old Joshua Holloway, a basketball player for Samford University, who claimed Morant punched him during a game at the player’s family home in Memphis.
On Monday, Shelby County Circuit Judge Carol Chumney ruled that Morant acted in self-defense and, under Tennessee's “stand your ground” law, could not be held civilly liable.
While that law is more commonly seen in criminal cases, the court found it applicable here due to the circumstances. The court's decision was in favor of Ja Morant's testimony that he felt threatened when Holloway tossed a basketball at his face and assumed what was interpreted as a fighting position.
The prosecution contended Morant's reaction was disproportionate, but evidence from several witnesses, including retired NBA veteran Mike Miller, substantiated the assertion that Holloway's actions had incited the confrontation.
Judge Chumney also remarked that Holloway’s version of the altercation didn’t align with other accounts and lacked credibility.
Morant admitted to striking Holloway once. He said the teen’s behavior had shifted from competitive to aggressive after several games. Reports say Morant’s close friend, Davonte Pack, also hit Holloway before the teen was removed from the court.
No criminal charges were ever brought against Ja Morant, and the misdemeanor charge initially filed against Pack was later dropped.
The judge emphasized that both Morant and Holloway are influential figures within their communities and urged them to channel their roles into something positive, adding that more time on the court would be better than time in court.
Ja Morant and the road to redemption
Ja Morant has been under close public scrutiny over the past seasons, not only for his play on the court but also for a string of off-court occurrences that have caused people to question his judgment.
The most glaring were two separate incidents in which the Grizzlies' franchise player was videotaped flashing a weapon. He was flashing a gun on an Instagram live while being intoxicated while visiting a strip club in the Denver area. The other incident was when he was caught holding a gun in a car.
The NBA reacted with a 25-game suspension at the start of the 2023-24 season. Prior to this suspension, He was already suspended for eight games in the 2022-23 season.
Morant subsequently apologized publicly and has since made efforts to mend his image. Reports say he's spoken with league officials and is working with mentors to handle the stresses of his role better.
Despite the controversies, Ja Morant remains a cornerstone of the Grizzlies' future.
His explosive talent and leadership on the floor are undeniable. With the lawsuit now resolved, the focus can return to basketball, where Memphis, trailing in their first-round playoff series, will need everything Morant has to offer.
For the 24-year-old guard, this moment could mark a turning point. Whether he can rewrite his narrative and reclaim his place as one of the league’s brightest young stars remains to be seen.