Memphis Grizzlies Star Ja Morant Accused of Punching Teen In Self-Defense, Agent Denies Gun Allegation

Photo: Instagram/Ja Morant 

According to reports in US media, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant was accused of punching a 17-year-old during a pickup basketball game at his Tennessee home in July 2022.

The police records obtained by the Washington Post revealed that the unnamed teenager accused Morant of punching him "12-13 times."

However, no criminal charges were filed against Morant in connection with the incident, with his agent insisting that the rising NBA star acted in self-defense.

Photo: Instagram/Ja Morant 

The teen claimed that after their altercation, Morant went into his house and returned with a gun visible in the waistband of his pants.

But Morant's agent denied the claim, saying it was purely self-defense, and Morant did not have a firearm.

Although there were no charges, the incident follows an earlier one where the head of security at a Memphis mall told police that he felt "threatened" by Morant and his associates after an incident in the shopping center's parking lot.

In January, the teenager and his mother filed a lawsuit against Morant, which his agent dismissed as "disturbing that unsubstantiated rumors and gossip are being put out by people motivated to tear Ja down and tarnish his reputation for their own financial gain."

Morant, the second overall pick in the 2019 draft and a two-time All-Star, was embroiled in controversy in early February when the NBA investigated allegations by the Indiana Pacers that Morant's entourage "aggressively confronted" members of their traveling party, possibly pointing a red laser at them.

Despite these allegations, Morant remains a promising young talent in the NBA, with his agent emphasizing that "any of the dozens of witnesses will confirm Ja acted in self-defense."

It is clear that these incidents have not affected Morant's performance on the court, and he remains one of the league's most exciting young players.

However, it is important to note that violence should never be condoned, and everyone has a responsibility to ensure that they behave appropriately both on and off the court.

Read Next: Jayson Tatum Ejected In Celtics' Frustrating Loss To Knicks Amidst Shooting Slump And Officiating Woes

Source: Yahoo Sports 

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