Matt Barnes Suspended From Opening Game

L.A. Clippers star Matt Barnes has been suspended without pay from the opening game against the Memphis Grizzlies tonight, as a result of his arrest earlier this summer.

Barnes pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of unlicensed driving and resisting arrest.  The judge sentenced him to two years of probation, as well as 30 hours of community service and 13 private counseling sessions.

According to police, Barnes allegedly resisted arrest and threatened the arresting officer, which is a felony.  However, prosecutors decided to charge him with misdemeanor charges instead.  Although the district attorney’s office did not elaborate why they gave Barnes the lesser charge, Barnes had his own explanation:

“They would not talk about it because they didn’t have anything to say.  The whole truth will come out, but I was harassed by this cop for a good three months. He took my car during a playoff game and made me walk home, arrested me when I was walking down the street.”

Barnes seemed upset with the ruling, calling it a “joke.”  However, at the same time, he seemed grateful that the repercussions weren’t more severe.  He said:

“I went through some stuff but everything worked out and I’m here, so I’m happy about that.”

So hopefully after this one game, you’ll be able to watch Barnes do his thing.  Because, if rumors are correct, he’ll be the only member of the Barnes family on television this upcoming season!

[Source: ESPN LA]

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