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Ja Morant's lawyers cite 'stand your ground' law, self-defense in pickup basketball lawsuit

Related Topics: Ja Morant, Carol Chumney

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The future of a lawsuit accusing Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant of assaulting a teenager during a pickup basketball game hinges on whether Morant will be allowed to say that he was acting in self-defense and can receive immunity under Tennessee law.

A judge on Wednesday ruled that Morant's lawyers can proceed for now with their argument that Morant was acting in self-defense when he punched Joshua Holloway during a game at the All-Star player's Memphis-area home in July 2022.

Morant's lawyers have acknowledged he punched Holloway one time after Holloway threw a basketball at Morant and the ball hit Morant in the chin.