Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant testified in court on Monday, describing the incident in which he punched a teenager during a pickup basketball last year.
The NBA star hasn’t been able to suit up this season as he is serving a 25-game suspension for brandishing a pistol in an Instagram video. The Grizzlies have played 22 games so far this season, winning just six of them. Morant will be able to return to the court after they play their next three games.
In the meantime, he has some legal matters to deal with and was in court on Monday to answer a lawsuit filed by 18-year-old Joshua Holloway, who was 17 when he claimed he was assaulted by Morant.
Morant and his friend Davonte Pack stand accused of assault, reckless endangerment, abuse or neglect, and infliction of emotional distress.
The two-time NBA All-Star told a courtroom he was acting in self-defense while admitting he and Pack punched Holloway once, with Pack’s blow sending the teen sprawling. He said the scuffle stemmed from the youngster hitting him in the chin with a basketball during on a “check.” He also claimed that Holloway bumped him in the chest, balled up his fists, and got into a fighting stance.
Morant’s lawyers have said that the player shouldn’t face any consequences as Tennessee’s “Stand your ground” law gave him the right to act after feeling threatened. While the law is used in criminal cases, Judge Carol Chumney ruled that it could be applied to the ongoing civil matter.
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The 2020 Rookie of the Year wasn’t charged criminally. Pack was charged for misdemeanor assault in July but the charge was later dropped.
