Ja Morant's Punch Was in Self-Defense, Memphis Judge Rules

During a July 2022 dispute in his home, Memphis Grizzlies All-Star point guard Ja Morant punched a then-17-year-old minor as an act of self-defense, a local Tennessee judge ruled on Monday, as first reported by Baxter Holmes of ESPN.

Morant was playing a pickup game against local teen Joshua Holloway in his home gym. Holloway apparently hit Morant in the face with a one-handed dish while checking the rock. Per Morant in a Dec. 2023 civil immunity hearing, Holloway approached him, and Morant responded by meeting him and punching him. Morant's attendant friend Davonte Pack then followed suit. He was subsequently arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault, though the case was eventually dismissed.

Morant "enjoys a presumption of civil immunity" by virtue of Tennessee's self-defense immunity statute, according to Shelby County Circuit Judge Carol Chumney's court filing.

"We're disappointed, and we will continue to take the steps necessary to protect and advocate for Joshua," Holloway's attorney Rebecca Adelman was quoted as saying in the ESPN report.

"We are very pleased with the Court's ruling," Morant's lawyer, S. Keenan Carter of Butler Snow, told Newsweek via email.

The legal fallout was one of a number of issues Morant faced in connection with off-the-court incidents.

The 6-foot-2 All-NBA superstar was assessed an eight-game suspension during the spring of the 2022-23 season when he was seen holding a gun in a Colorado strip club. The 24-year-old began 2023-24 with a 25-game suspension after a social media video was distributed widely, showcasing Morant in a friend's car with a gun.

All told, Morant was available for a scant nine games this year. He averaged 25.1 points on .471/.275/.813 shooting splits, 8.1 dimes, 5.6 boards, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. The high-flying guard incurred a right shoulder subluxation while getting reps in between games. He had a surgery on the shoulder, which ended his season. The Grizzlies posted a 6-3 record when Morant did play.

Morant is in the first season of a five-year, $197 million salary extension. $34 million is a high price to pay for nine games, but it sounds like his shoulder can fully recuperate by the start of next season.

With a 27-51 overall record this year, the Grizzlies have long been eliminated from the postseason, on the heels of two straight season with 50+ wins with a largely healthy Morant leading the charge. The team boasts several other intriguing young players, and will have yet another lottery pick to add to its collection this summer.