In a series of events that have sent shockwaves through the NBA community, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant finds himself embroiled in a legal dispute. The case, which has been the subject of much debate and speculation, revolves around an alleged physical altercation involving a teenager at Morant's residence.
The incident, which took place in July 2022, has led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Davonte Pack, a friend of Morant's. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office in Memphis has charged Pack with simple assault with intent to do bodily harm. The charge is related to a physical altercation involving Pack, Morant, and a juvenile basketball player at Morant's residence in Eads, Tennessee.
The plaintiff in the case, Joshua Holloway, was 17 at the time of the incident. Holloway alleges that during a pickup basketball game at Morant's home, Morant threw a ball hard at his chest. When Holloway reciprocated, the ball accidentally hit Morant in the face. According to Holloway, Morant responded by asking a friend, "Do I do it to him?" before punching Holloway in the face. Holloway claims that both Morant and Pack hit him multiple times and that Morant brandished a gun after the altercation.
Morant's legal team has acknowledged that the NBA star punched Holloway once, but they argue that Morant was acting in self-defense. They contend that Holloway threw a basketball at Morant, hitting him in the chin, and that Morant should be immune from liability under Tennessee's "stand your ground" law. This law allows individuals who feel threatened at their homes to act with force in certain situations.
In response to Holloway's lawsuit, Morant filed a countersuit accusing Holloway of slander, battery, and assault. Morant's lawyers argue that he could have suffered a career-ending injury when Holloway hit him in the head with the basketball. They also claim that Holloway lied about some of the details of the incident.
The case has led to complex legal arguments, including a disagreement about whether the state's "stand your ground" law can be used to support Morant. Holloway's lawyer, Rebecca Adelman, argued that Morant has waived his claim to immunity and that the self-defense claim under the state law can't be a reason to dismiss the civil case, partly because there is no ongoing criminal investigation against Morant.
The case has been put on hold, with depositions, subpoenas, exchanging of evidence, and other steps in the lawsuit currently paused. A hearing on the matter has been set for October 12.
In the meantime, the NBA has suspended Morant for 25 games after a second video of him flashing a handgun was posted online. The video was posted after he finished serving an eight-game suspension in March for a video in which he flashed a handgun in a Denver-area strip club. Morant has apologized for both videos.
The legal battle continues to unfold, with the NBA community and fans closely watching the developments. The case serves as a stark reminder of the off-court challenges that can impact the careers and reputations of professional athletes.
