Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has submitted a legal claim in response to the lawsuit filed by a teenager suing him over assault, slander, and battery.
On Wednesday, a lawsuit was filed against 18-year-old Joshua Holloway, claiming he has harmed Morant’s public image. The suit adds that Holloway has also jeopardized Morant’s ability to secure lucrative contracts and endorsements.
According to the countersuit, Holloway allegedly provided false information to the authorities in the original lawsuit and then in the revised version. Morant contends that he punched Holloway once after he was hit in the face with a basketball during a pickup game at Morant’s residence. The Grizzlies point guard added that Holloway had clenched his fists when he was approaching him.
In Holloway’s revised lawsuit, he claimed that both Morant and his friend Davonte Pack, punched him even after he fell to the ground. He stated that Morant indicated that he had a firearm on his hip as the teenager was leaving. The lawsuit also claims that Holloway’s mother contacted the police upon his return home that night.
“These statements were false, and Counter-Defendant had actual knowledge of their falsehood or had reckless disregard for the truth,” Morant’s lawsuit states.
In addition, the countersuit says witnesses reported that the incident lasted approximately 10 seconds before Morant’s father intervened and escorted Holloway out of the area while the point guard remained on the court. As Holloway left the scene, he allegedly shouted that he would return to “light [Morant’s] house like a fireworks display.”
Furthermore, Morant says he received a threatening message on Snapchat, which he believes to be from Holloway. As a result, Morant and his family reported the teenager’s hostile remarks to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.
