MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The NBA has officially suspended Memphis Grizzlies basketball player Matt Barnes following an altercation with Knicks head coach Derek Fisher.
The Grizzlies said Barnes would be suspended for Tuesday’s game against the Heat and against Utah on Saturday.
In October, Barnes was in a physical altercation with Knicks head coach Derek Fisher over his estranged wife.
According to the New York Post, Gloria Govan and Fisher have been in a relationship for a few months after Fisher filed for divorce from his wife of ten years back in March.
Govan used to be a regular cast member on the VH1 reality show “Basketball Wives LA.”
When Barnes found out, he reportedly drove 95 miles to his former home with Govan in LA saying he was going to “beat the s–t” out of his former teammate.
Fisher and Govan were at the home hosting ten others when Barnes arrived, and confronted them.
A source close to Fisher told the New York Post, he only had minor scratches and was not going to be pressing charges.
Fisher left the scene before cops arrived.
Govan is reportedly going to file for a restraining order.
The Memphis Grizzlies released a statement saying, ” We are aware and currently gathering information regarding today’s report involving Matt Barnes. We have no further comment at this time.”
WREG spoke with Barnes soon after the incident came to light.
“Being around this league long enough, my first concern is my kids and always their health, happiness and safety,” Barnes said.
He wouldn’t say exactly what happened.
“I am here to focus on basketball,” he said. “By being here early, I don’t want to start it off by having anything negative.”
“Like right now we need to focus on basketball. All the real details will come out at some point,” Barnes said. “Right now we are focusing on basketball.”
That seems to be the mindset of the team as well.
“It’s a personal matter, no matter what happened or didn’t happen, he is a Memphis Grizzly,” Grizzlies coach David Joerger said. “Besides, I love him to death. If he felt like he was wronged, I would listen, give him advice and support him.”
So what about Derek Fisher? We asked Barnes about their relationship.
“We were friends. We were good friends at one point,” Barnes said. “I know you guys want me to give you more. At this point there is a legal process that must take place. The NBA is doing an investigation, so right now I am not at liberty to speak on it, but all the facts will come out.”
There is one thing Barnes and Joerger agree on. Whatever happened, it won’t be a distraction when it comes to the game.
“As a professional athlete, you have to be able to separate your personal life from your professional life,” Barnes said. “I am here to play basketball, so there won’t be any distractions.”