Judge Rules Ja Morant Acted in Self-Defense in Pickup Game Fight With Teen

On Tuesday, a Tennessee judge ruled in favor of Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, recognizing that he acted in self-defense during an incident in July 2022. This decision relates to a lawsuit brought against Morant by then-17-year-old Joshua Hollaway, whom Morant admitted to punching during a pickup basketball game dispute. This judgment follows a December 2023 civil immunity hearing in Memphis.

The incident in question unfolded during a pickup basketball game where Holloway reportedly threw a basketball at Morant, leading to a physical altercation. Holloway later filed a lawsuit in September 2022, accusing Morant of assault.

According to Morant’s testimony, he struck Holloway first to defend himself after Holloway advanced toward him post-altercation. Following Morant’s punch, his friend Davonte Pack also struck Holloway, resulting in a misdemeanor assault charge that was eventually dismissed.

Shelby County Circuit Judge Carol Chumney’s ruling grants Morant a “presumption of civil immunity” under Tennessee law, shifting the responsibility to Holloway’s legal team to disprove Morant’s claim of self-defense. The trial, initially scheduled for late April, is anticipated to be postponed.

Holloway’s attorney expressed disappointment with the ruling and vowed to continue advocating for Holloway. Morant’s legal representatives have yet to comment on the matter.

This lawsuit added to the challenges faced by Morant during the 2023-24 NBA season, which began with a 25-game suspension for actions detrimental to the league. This suspension was Morant’s second in the same year, following an earlier eight-game suspension for displaying a firearm on Instagram Live.

After returning from suspension, Morant, a two-time All-Star and the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year, played only nine games before a shoulder injury ended his season prematurely.