Judge rules Grizzlies' Ja Morant acted in self-defense against teen - ESPN

In a win for Ja Morant, a Tennessee judge ruled Monday that the Memphis Grizzlies superstar fairly acted in self-defense when he punched a teenager at Morant's home in July 2022, according to a court filing obtained by ESPN.

The ruling comes after a December 2023 civil immunity hearing in Memphis, where Morant testified that he «swung first» at Joshua Holloway, then 17, «to protect myself» during an altercation that led to Holloway filing a September 2022 lawsuit accusing Morant of assault.

The altercation came about during a pickup basketball game. Holloway, allegedly frustrated by losing several games, was accused of throwing a one-handed pass at Morant during a check-ball situation.

The ball hit Morant in the face, after which Morant said Holloway took a step toward him and that he then stepped forward and punched Holloway.

After that blow, Morant's friend, Davonte Pack, punched Holloway — an act for which Pack was later arrested for misdemeanor assault. The charge against Pack was later dismissed.

In Monday's filing, Shelby County Circuit Judge Carol Chumney ruled Morant «enjoys a presumption of civil immunity» under Tennessee's self-defense immunity statute and that the burden of proof shifts to Holloway and his legal team to prove that Morant didn't act in self-defense.

A trial was scheduled to begin in late April but is expected to be continued to a later date.

«We're disappointed, and we will continue to take the steps necessary to protect and advocate for Joshua,» Rebecca Adelman, Holloway's attorney, told ESPN.

Morant's attorneys didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

The lawsuit hung over Morant, 24, during a muddled 2023-24 season that began with him serving a 25-game suspension issued by the