Ja Morant Files Countersuit Against Teen Who Accused NBA Star Of Assault

A strong season on the court has featured quite a bit of tumult off it for star Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant.

Not only was Morant suspended for eight games for "conduct detrimental to the league" after he was filmed holding a gun in a Denver nightclub, he was hit with a lawsuit by a Memphis teenager who alleges that Morant punched him during a pickup basketball game last summer.

Now, Morant is firing back with a lawsuit of his own.

According to the AP, Morant has filed a countersuit against Joshua Holloway, who was 17 at the time of the incident, accusing him of damaging Morant’s reputation and putting him at risk of losing millions of dollars both in his contract and in potential endorsement deals.

According to Teresa M. Walker, Morant's countersuit accuses Holloway of lying to police and changing his story, and of leaking his lawsuit while it was supposed to be sealed. From the report:

"Morant’s countersuit notes the lawsuit was reported nationally despite being under seal until the amended version was filed March 28 and that the lawsuit potentially jeopardizes the guard’s relationships with sponsors including some 'unconsummated deals in progress.'”

Morant acknowledges in his countersuit that he punched Holloway once after being hit in the face during a pickup game at his home, but only after the teen approached him with "balled up" fists. Holloway alleges that one of Morant or his friend Davonte Pack of hitting him after he fell to the ground and that Morant motioned to a gun at his hip.

Morant signed a new five-year, $193 million contract last July. The deal includes a $38 million bonus for making the All-NBA team, and his countersuit alleges that Holloway's lawsuit negatively impacted his chances to do so.

The two-time All-Star led the Grizzlies to a 51-31 record this season, which earned them the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. They will begin a first-round series against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

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