All-Star guard Latrell Sprewell was suspended indefinitely after assaulting Golden State coach P.J. Carlesimo at practice, the team said Monday.
Sprewell, the team’s leading scorer with a 21.4 average, was suspended without pay for at least 10 games, Warriors General Manager Garry St. Jean said in a news release.
“We consider this an extremely serious matter and want to make it clear that this sort of behavior will not be tolerated,” he said.
According to sources, Sprewell first choked, then threw a punch at Carlesimo during two separate incidents at the team’s downtown training facility.
Sources said the first confrontation occurred midway through practice when small groups of players were participating in shooting drills at separate baskets. A source said Carlesimo gave instruction to Sprewell, but the guard told the coach, “I don’t want to hear it today.” After Carlesimo approached, Sprewell put his hands around the coach’s throat before several players rushed in to restrain Sprewell and separate the two.
Carlesimo sustained cuts and abrasions to his neck. When asked after practice how he had received them, he responded, “no comment.” Team practices are closed to the media.
The confrontations were the latest and most serious between the three-time NBA All-Star and first-year Warriors coach, who have been feuding since training camp began in early October.
The Warriors are 1-13 under Carlesimo, who is in his first season with Golden State.
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