NBA player Matt Barnes accused of assault in incident at Chelsea nightclub

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Monday, December 5, 2016
Sacramento Kings' Matt Barnes (22) goes up to shoot against Boston Celtics' Jae Crowder, right, during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016.
AP Photo/Michael Dwyer-AP

CHELSEA, Manhattan (WABC) -- An NBA player is accused of assaulting a woman at a nightclub in Chelsea, and the suspect is no stranger to headlines in New York City.

The alleged victim claims Sacramento Kings forward Matt Barnes choked her during an argument inside Avenue Nightclub at 116 10th Avenue overnight. Authorities say a few people got involved in an attempt to break up the scuffle, and two women and a man were punched.

Those involved suffered minor injuries and were treated and released from HealthPlex Lenox Hill.

The victims identified Barnes as the assailant.

Barnes, who left with an unnamed teammate before police arrived, posted a statement on Instagram on Monday afternoon:

TMZ Sports acquired video that it claims shows Barnes after the alleged incident. Watch it here:

So far there have been no arrests.

The Sacramento Kings released the following statement:

"We have clear standards of conduct and behavior expected of the entire Kings organization - on and off the court. We are working with all parties involved to gather information in order to take any appropriate next steps."

Barnes was in town Sunday night to play against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Knicks fans directed several chants at him, clearly still holding a grudge after Barnes reportedly got into a fight with then coach Derek Fisher last year over Barnes' ex-wife.

Neither party was charged in that case.

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