Grizzlies ace said he was ‘afraid’ he would’ve got hurt in pickup game

MEMPHIS Grizzlies star Ja Morant is a two-time NBA all-star and has scooped accolades from Rookie of the Year to the Most Improved Player.

But, the star has been in the headlines for his off-the-court actions as he allegedly punched a teenager during a pickup game in July last year.

Ja Morant, a two-time NBA All-Star, has served a 25-game ban from the basketball court Credit: Getty

But, the star is embroiled in a civil court case following a pickup game in July 2022 Credit: AP

Morant has also been on the sidelines serving a 25-game ban.

Morant is accused of lashing out at Joshua Holloway, now 18, after a pass hit the NBA ace in the chin while they were playing basketball at Morant’s parents’ home in Tennessee.

Holloway filed a lawsuit against the NBA star, but Morant claimed he acted in self-defense.

Morant threw a chest pass to Holloway who responded with a one-armed baseball-style pass.

Morant told the courtroom that he was shocked by the impact of the check pass.

He said that his hands were down at the time.

Morant said he told Holloway: “What you on?”

Witnesses claimed that Holloway’s fists were rolled up as if he was ready to fight before allegedly threatening he would “light up the place like fireworks.”

Morant said: “I thought he was about to hit me, so I swung first.”

Morant’s pal Davonte Pack is also accused of punching Holloway.

Tee Morant, Ja’s dad, told the court that he had encouraged Holloway to play tough and “go at Ja.”

He said Ja and Holloway were “barking at each other and talking trash,” per The Memphis Commercial Appeal.

He claimed Holloway became more frustrated and started to “bicker” with the basketballer.

Morant has not been charged with any crime, while the misdemeanor assault charge that was filed against Pack has been dropped.

The Memphis ace said he was “afraid” Holloway would hurt him when being quizzed by Rebecca Adelman – the lawyer representing Holloway.

Adelman said: “You could have pushed Joshua. You could have talked to him, you could have mentored him, you could have said, ‘Hey man, this isn’t what we do here, leave my property.’”

Morant said he had experienced ‘horrible days’ during his ban from the court Credit: AP

Will Perry, one of Morant’s lawyers, said Holloway had played four to five pickup games at Morant’s home before the bust-up.

He said: “Plaintiff’s attitude was different. His energy was off. He played like he had a chip on his shoulder.”

Adelman described Morant as a “hero-worshipped” basketball star who suffers from a lack of control.

Morant has been in court before his ban from the basketball court expires.

In June, he was issued with the ban after footage surfaced that appeared to show him brandishing a gun.

It was the second time within months that social media footage had appeared to show Morant wielding a firearm.

Adam Silver, the NBA Commissioner, described Morant’s conduct as “alarming and disconcerting.”

Morant revealed he spent time to “work on his mental health” during the off-season.

He revealed at a press conference last week that he had experienced “some horrible days.”

Morant said: “Obviously, basketball is something I’ve been doing pretty much my whole life.

“Something that’s therapeutic for me. Obviously, taking that away, it makes it tougher.”

He revealed that he had been counting down the days to his return to the basketball court.

Morant has been at the Grizzlies since 2019 and was the team’s second overall pick in that year’s NBA draft.

He was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020 and is a two-time NBA All-Star.

Morant was previously suspended for eight games in March after being seen with a gun in a video that was filmed at a nightclub.