A lawsuit accusing NBA star Ja Morant of punching a teen during a July 2022 pickup game was dismissed by a judge on Monday. Per The Associated Press, the lawsuit was filed against the Memphis Grizzlies star by Joshua Holloway, who was 17 at the time of the incident.
Shelby County Circuit Judge Carol Chumney in her ruling said that Morant, 25, was defending himself when he punched Holloway. Chumney also said Morant was immune from civil liability.
Holloway is currently on Samford University’s basketball team roster, and he’s in his second season. Holloway was among other people who went to Morant’s parents’ home in July 2022 after they were invited to play pickup basketball.
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During the games, Holloway was punched in the face by Morant, causing the event to end. Holloway ultimately accused Morant of assaulting him and filed a lawsuit against the NBA star. But Morant argued that he acted in self-defense.
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Morant argued that he was struck in the face after Holloway threw a basketball at him in an aggressive manner during a check-ball play. During a December 2023 hearing, Morant testified that he was concerned about sustaining an injury after Holloway threw the ball at him and struck him in the face. He also said he punched Holloway in the face after the teen took a fighting posture, The Associated Press reported.
Chumney ruled that Morant was immune from civil liability after the 25-year-old’s lawyers argued that Tennessee’s “stand your ground” law shielded his actions. The law allows people who are at home to forcefully react if they feel threatened in some encounters.
But during a January hearing, Holloway testified that Morant was rather the one who reacted aggressively. Chumney in her ruling on Monday highlighted discrepancies between Holloway’s testimony and that of other witnesses, per The Associated Press. Chumney said Holloway’s version of the events that occurred did not hold water.
Chumney in her ruling also highlighted Morant and Holloway’s status as basketball leaders in the teams they both play for, “and in the limelight, each have unique opportunities to inspire youth and demonstrate mature leadership.”
“This Court sincerely hopes that moving forward they each will be able to spend more of their time on the ‘court’ and less at the ‘courthouse,’” wrote Chumney.
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