In a dramatic court hearing on Monday, NBA star Ja Morant took the stand and recounted a physical altercation that occurred during a pickup basketball game last year. Morant testified that a teenager, Joshua Holloway, struck him in the face with a forceful one-handed basketball pass at close range. In response, Morant admitted to punching Holloway once in the face. The incident, which took place on July 26, 2022, at the Memphis-area home of Morant's parents, has resulted in Holloway filing a lawsuit against Morant and his close friend, Davonte Pack.

Holloway, who was 17 at the time, accuses Morant and Pack of assault, reckless endangerment, abuse or neglect, and infliction of emotional distress. Morant, 24, claimed that he and Pack each threw a single punch at Holloway, with Pack's blow sending the teenager to the ground. Morant argued that his actions were an act of self-defense after Holloway threw the ball at him, hitting him in the chin during a check-ball situation.

Morant's legal team is relying on Tennessee's "stand your ground" law as a defense. The law grants individuals the right to act with force if they feel threatened on their own property. Although typically used in criminal cases, Judge Carol Chumney's ruling last month permitted Morant's lawyers to apply this defense in the civil case, potentially leading to the dismissal of the lawsuit. Notably, Morant has not faced any criminal charges, while Pack initially faced a misdemeanor assault charge that has since been dropped.

The court hearing also touched upon Morant's previous off-court incidents. The NBA suspended Morant for the first 25 games of this season after a video surfaced of him brandishing a handgun. Another video, filmed in a Denver-area strip club, showed Morant displaying a handgun and resulted in an eight-game suspension. Morant expressed remorse for both incidents.

Morant's father, Tee Morant, testified during the hearing, stating that the family has a long-standing tradition of inviting local basketball players and friends of Ja Morant to play on their full-sized home court. Tee Morant emphasized that they always prepare a meal for the players after the games. Holloway had been invited multiple times and had developed a friendly relationship with the Morant family.

On the day of the altercation, Holloway had been guarding Morant, who was dominating the game offensively. Tee Morant claimed that he encouraged Holloway to play aggressively against his son, but Holloway seemed frustrated and engaged in verbal sparring with Ja Morant. Ja Morant reenacted the incident during his testimony, demonstrating how the altercation unfolded using basketballs brought into the courtroom by both lawyers.

According to Morant's account, he and Holloway were face-to-face in a check-ball situation to begin a game. Instead of initiating the check with a customary chest or bounce pass, Holloway placed the ball on the ground, which Morant interpreted as a sign of disrespect. Morant rolled the ball back to Holloway, who sent it back with a hard, one-handed pass that struck Morant on the left side of his chin. Morant, caught off guard by the forceful pass, asked Holloway why he did it, to which Holloway did not respond or apologize.

The situation escalated as the two players approached each other, standing chest-to-chest. Holloway shoulder-bumped Morant, adjusted his shorts, and clenched his fists, which Morant perceived as a fighting stance. Fearing for his safety, Morant admitted to throwing the first punch, which connected with Holloway's face. Pack then punched Holloway in the head, causing him to fall to the ground. Former NBA player Mike Miller escorted Holloway off the court.

During cross-examination, Holloway's lawyer, Rebecca Adelman, questioned Morant about alternative courses of action he could have taken, such as talking to or mentoring Holloway. Adelman suggested that Morant could have pushed Holloway away or asked him to leave the property. Morant responded that he was afraid Holloway was going to harm him, justifying his decision to throw a punch.

The hearing is set to continue on Tuesday, with further testimonies expected to shed light on the details surrounding the altercation and the subsequent legal actions taken by both parties involved.