MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A judge ruled Monday that Ja Morant was acting in self-defense when he punched a teen in July 2022, according to court documents.
During a pickup basketball game, Joshua Holloway hurled a hard pass from in close that hit Morant in the face, leading Morant to punch the 17-year-old in the chin. Morant's childhood friend Davonte Pack then punched him again, knocking him to the ground, witnesses said.
Holloway sued Morant the following September.
Morant's lawyers acknowledged he punched Holloway one time after Holloway threw the basketball at Morant. In a motion, the player's lawyers said he should be immune from liability under the state's "stand your ground" law, which allows people who feel threatened at their homes to act with force in certain situations.
Shelby County Court Circuit Judge Carol Chumney cited Tennessee law on when the issue of self-defense can be raised, and she wrote in a ruling issued Monday that Morant “enjoys a presumption of civil immunity."
The judge wrote that “a provocateur generally cannot invoke self-defense; if you start a fight, then you should be ready to finish it.” The judge also noted that Holloway was the only “provocateur,” with everyone else just wanting to play basketball.
Rebecca Adelman, an attorney for Holloway, said in a statement Tuesday, "We’re disappointed with this Court’s ruling and will continue to protect and advocate for Joshua in the court system."
Morant's attorney Keenan Carter said he and Morant's legal team are "very pleased with the Court’s ruling."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.