Judge Dismisses Ja Morant Assault Lawsuit, Recommends ‘More Time On The Court, Less At The Courthouse’

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has survived yet another controversy. It doesn’t even have to do with flashing a gun this time. Or gun-themed celebrations. Or grenade-themed celebrations.

It has, in fact, to do with punching a 17-year-old in the face.

In 2022, Morant invited a number of people to play pickup basketball at his parents’ house, including then-high-schooler Joshua Holloway, who has played two seasons for Samford University since. The games ended when Morant, then 22 years old, punched Holloway in the face. Holloway alleged assault and sued.

Morant claimed that Holloway had started the altercation by aggressively checking the basketball to him, hitting him in the face. According to Morant, the teen threw the ball at him, bumped him in the chest and squared up in a fighting stance, causing him to fear for his safety.

The case finally concluded on Monday. Shelby County Circuit Judge Carol Chumney found that Morant acted in self-defense, covered under Tennessee’s Stand Your Ground law, and was immune from both criminal and civil liability. Chumney decided that Holloway’s testimony was unreliable, noting that it differed from that of other witnesses.

Holloway, who featured on the Southern Conference All-Defensive Team and was named the conference’s 6th Man of the Year, announced a few days ago that he is transferring to Texas A&M for his junior year. Meanwhile, Morant put up 23.2 points per game this season, leading the Grizzlies to the playoffs (where they are, admittedly, an unfortunate sacrifice to the Oklahoma City Thunder).

Judge Chumney noted in her decision that each of the players holds leadership positions and “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.'”

With Morant’s track record, a gentle suggestion may not be enough. Then again, even a months-long suspension hasn’t quite done the trick, if the recent celebrations are any indication. One thing Morant will never be, it seems, is uncontroversial.