REVEALED: Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant was sued in September for “hitting a 17-year-old with a closed fist and knocking him to the ground during a pickup game at NBA All-Star’s Tennessee mansion.”
- Ja Morant was sued for allegedly beating a Tennessee teenager
- The case was filed in September and has since been sealed, according to TMZ
- The 17-year-old plaintiff alleges he played pickup basketball with Morant
- The two got into a fight and the teenager admittedly tossed a basketball to Morant
- Morant allegedly responded by hitting the plaintiff with a closed fist
- The NBA All-Star reportedly claimed he acted in self-defense
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Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has been sued for allegedly punching a Tennessee teenager in the face during a pickup game, but the NBA star claims he acted in self-defense.
The case was filed in September and has since been sealed, according to TMZ, which reports the incident happened on July 26 at Morant’s home in Eads, Tenn., just outside of Memphis.
The 17-year-old plaintiff alleges he was playing pickup basketball with Morant when the two got into an argument that quickly escalated. He admits tossing a basketball at Morant and “accidentally” hitting the 6ft 2 guard in the face.
Morant reportedly responded by hitting the 17-year-old “with a closed fist and throwing him to the ground,” according to TMZ.
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has been sued for allegedly punching a Tennessee teenager in the face during a pickup game, but the NBA star claims he acted in self-defense
Morant “continued to pin him while he was on the ground” when another person joined in to hit the teenager, he told police.
Officials say the plaintiff had a “large lump” on his head.
Morant reportedly admitted hitting the 17-year-old but told police he did so in self-defence. According to the former Murray State star, the plaintiff also “made verbal threats” and said he was going to “light up.” [Morant’s] house up.’
Morant said: “He and his family were terrified by the testimony.”
Police investigated the plaintiff’s allegations for several weeks before referring the case to prosecutors in October. However, police say prosecutors have declined to press charges.
It is currently unclear what the plaintiff intends to do with the lawsuit. Both Morant and his friend, Vomte Pack, are listed as defendants, according to TMZ.
Morant, the NBA’s 10th-leading scorer, is averaging 27.2 points per game for the Grizzlies, who are second in the Western Conference at 23-13.