Memphis Grizzlies Guard Ja Morant Sued For Allegedly Punching Teen During Basketball Game

Police reports indicate the incident happened July 26 at Morant’s home in Eads, Tennessee. The 17-year-old said he was playing in a pickup basketball game with Morant before the duo got into an argument, TMZ Sports reports.

The teen says the argument became heated before throwing a ball at Morant that “accidentally” hit him in the face. Next, the teenager claims, Morant approached him, put his chin on his shoulder, and asked out loud to surrounding players, “Should I do it to him?” before Morant struck the teen “with a closed fist, knocking him to the ground.”

According to TMZ, the suit alleges Morant “continued sticking him while on the ground” before someone else jumped in to help the Grizzlie player get revenge. Officers reported the teenager having “a large knot” on his head.

Police state Morant told them he struck the teenager but insisted he acted in self-defense. Morant said the plaintiff threw the ball at him “intentionally” during the argument and then “began to approach him as if he wanted to fight.”

Morant also admitted that his brother was involved in the incident and reported that the teenager “made verbal threats stating he’d light his house up” as he left the pickup game.

According to TMZ, on October 4, the district attorney declined prosecution, and Morant has not addressed any questions surrounding the incident.