Teen Sues Grizzlies Star Ja Morant For Allegedly Punching Him

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies is being sued for allegedly hitting a teen from Tennessee during a pickup game, but the NBA star maintains that he was only acting in self-defence.

The incident occurred on July 26 at Morant’s home in Eads, Tennessee, a suburb of Memphis, according to TMZ, which adds that the case was filed in September and has since been sealed.

The plaintiff, who is 17 years old, asserts that he was playing pick-up basketball with Morant when the two got into a heated altercation. He acknowledges ‘accidentally’ hitting the 6-foot-2 player in the face with a basketball he threw at Morant.

Teen Sues Grizzlies Star Ja Morant For Allegedly Punching Him

In Shelby County, the lawsuit was submitted in September. The incident occurred on July 26 at the NBA star’s home in Eads, Tennessee, according to court records, although the case has since been sealed.

A 17-year-old who filed the lawsuit on September 9 reportedly told police that he was playing pickup basketball with Morant at the home when the two got into a verbal confrontation.

The plaintiff, according to the docs, said the argument became heated, and he threw a basketball at Morant — “accidentally” hitting him in the face. The teenager said the Grizzlies point guard then approached him, put his chin on his shoulder, and asked a bystander “Should I do it to him?” The teen says Morant then struck him “with a closed fist, knocking him to the ground.”

The documents state that the 17-year-old said Morant “kept sticking him while on the ground” and that another man then entered the scene and started punching him as well.

According to police reports, they saw the adolescent had “a huge knot” on his head.

According to the documents, Morant admitted to hitting the adolescent but argued that he was just acting in self-defense. During the argument, according to Morant, the plaintiff “intentionally” threw the ball at him and then “began to approach him as if he intended to fight.”

Morant reportedly informed police that “his brother” was also involved in the brawl, however the basketball player declined to identify the individual.

Morant told officers the teenager “made verbal threats stating he’d ‘light his house up'” as he was being escorted off the property. Morant “advised he and his family were put in fear by the statement.”

What the plaintiff is requesting in the lawsuit is unknown. According to court documents, both Morant and his boyhood friend Davonte Pack are named as defendants.

Morant’s representatives have been contacted for comment, but we have not received a response.

The 23-year-old, who was selected to his first All-Star squad last year, has developed into one of the NBA’s top players. He is regarded as a serious contender to win the league MVP award this season.

The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office confirmed knowledge of the incident through a spokeswoman, however the office determined there was insufficient evidence to move through with a charge after thoroughly examining the circumstances. They were unable to comment on the ongoing legal dispute.

Taylor Jenkins, the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, was questioned on the complaint on Tuesday. He vowed not to comment.

 

 

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