NBA suspends Barnes for two games
The NBA suspended Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes two games without pay for what the league said was a “physical altercation” with Derek Fisher and for “threatening” the New York Knicks coach in October.
The league investigated the Oct. 3 incident in Redondo Beach between Barnes and Fisher — former teammates with the Lakers from 2010-12.
The Grizzlies had just wrapped up a week of training camp, and a person with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press in October the incident occurred while Fisher attended a gathering at the home of Barnes’ estranged wife, Gloria Govan. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no details were publicly released.
Redondo Beach police responded to an incident Oct. 3 but disclosed no information on the location or who was involved after finding no basis for criminal charges.
The Phoenix Suns fired assistant coaches Mike Longabardi and Jerry Sichting. Nate Bjorkgren was promoted to take Longabardi’s job as defensive coordinator. Assistant Earl Watson also was promoted to a bench coach position.
Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott has been cited for three misdemeanors following a car accident Sunday before the team left for the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona. The junior was cited for driving under suspension, driving without a license and failure to control. The accident occurred at 1:30 p.m. near the Ohio State campus. In the police report, Elliott said he hit a puddle, lost control and struck another vehicle.
The team said Elliott would play Friday against Notre Dame.
Indiana running back Jordan Howard and Miami defensive back Artie Burns both announced they would skip their senior seasons and enter the NFL draft.
Texas starting center Cameron Ridley will be out indefinitely because of a broken left foot. Ridley, a 6foot-10, 290-pound senior who is averaging 12.7 points and 10.0 rebounds a game, was injured Sunday in practice.
Stein Eriksen, the Norwegian great who helped usher in modern skiing with his graceful style, died Sunday at his home in Park City, Utah. He was 88. Eriksen rose to prominence at the 1952 Olympics in his hometown of Oslo when he captured gold in the giant slalom and silver in the slalom.
Swiss skier Lara Gut won a women’s World Cup giant slalom in Lienz, Austria, extending her overall lead as Lindsey Vonn failed to finish the opening run. Gut finished in an aggregate time of 2 minutes 6.00 seconds for her 16th career win and fourth of the season.
In the first leg, Vonn went too wide on a left turn about 45 seconds into her run and failed to make the next gate. The American skier trails Gut by 158 points in the overall standings.