Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has countersued a teenager he allegedly got into a fight with during a basketball game on July 26, 2022, according to Associated Press.
According to Commercial appeal, Josh Holloway, who was 17 when the incident happened and is now 18, filed a lawsuit accusing Morant of punching him several times and then walking outside his home with a gun tucked into his pants. Morant’s counterclaim denies these claims and accuses Holloway of defamation, insult and assault, saying the lawsuit damages Morant’s reputation and could cost him an All-NBA spot and endorsement deals, which could have significant financial consequences. If Morant is not an All-NBA selection, his contract extension signed last summer will be capped at $193 million instead of the super-max $231 million.
In the lawsuit, Morant accused Holloway of intentionally throwing a basketball in his face, an action that Morant says jeopardized his career. It states:
“Getting hit in the face with a basketball hurts; for a professional point guard like Mr. Morant, an eye or nose injury could be career-ending.”
The suit also says Holloway “clenched his fists” and walked toward Morant as if planning to attack him. Morant told police he was acting in self-defense and “swung first” when the boy approached, according to The Washington Post. Morant also filed a separate police report alleging Holloway yelled, “I’m gonna come back and light this place up like fireworks” as he left the house.
The Post reported this story in March.
It was one of the few incidents in which Morant was accused of being involved in the past year. In June, he was charged with threatening a Foot Locker employee who had an argument with Morant’s mother at the store. In March, he recorded himself on Instagram Live shooting a gun at a strip club.
Morant was banned for eight games for the gun incident at the club. The NBA did not suspend him for other incidents. He said he went to counseling during his suspension.
The guard averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 8.1 assists in 61 games this season. Morant hopes to earn an All-NBA spot against other contenders, inclusive prospects such as (in alphabetical order) Devin Booker, Jaylen Brunson, Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, DeAaron Fox, Shai Gilges-Alexander, Tyreese Halliburton, James Harden, Jrue Holiday, Donovan Mitchell and Damian Lillard, among others.
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