NBA summary: League to investigate Suns owner for racist, misogynistic and hostile incidents

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Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver is accused of having a history of racism and sexism in the workplace. A statement released Friday said the organization was aware of a story accusing the organization of misconduct on a “variety of subjects.” Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press

PHOENIX – The NBA has asked a law firm to investigate the Phoenix Suns after a report released Thursday detailed allegations that owner Robert Sarver has a history of racist, misogynistic and hostile incidents during his 17 years at the helm of the franchise.

ESPN said it has spoken to dozens of current and former employees on the team, including some who have detailed Sarver’s inappropriate behavior. Most of the allegations come from anonymous sources, but a few are recorded.

In ESPN’s report, Sarver denied or disputed most of the allegations through his legal team. The Suns also strongly denied the report in a lengthy statement released Thursday.

“I would be very supportive of an impartial investigation by the NBA which may prove to be our only way to whitewash my name and the reputation of an organization of which I am so proud,” said Sarver.

Sarver will get his wish. The NBA released its own statement from executive vice president of communications Mike Bass saying the allegations were “extremely serious” and that the league had asked law firm Wachtell Lipton to “open a full investigation.”

“The NBA and WNBA remain committed to providing a respectful and inclusive workplace for all employees,” Bass said. “Once the investigation is completed, its findings will serve as the basis for all league action.”

Among the allegations: Former Suns coach Earl Watson said the Sarver was upset that Golden State forward Draymond Green used the N word in a game in 2016 and that the owner repeated the N word several times times when he expressed his displeasure. Watson said he told Sarver he couldn’t use that word.

Watson coached the Suns for all or part of three seasons before being fired three games after the start of the 2017-18 season.

Sarver said in his statement that Watson was “clearly not a credible source.”

“While there is so much inaccurate and misleading things about this story that I hardly know where to start, let me be clear: the word n ​​is not in my vocabulary,” said Sarver. “I have never called any person or group of people the n word, nor have I ever referred to anyone or a group of people by that word, either verbally or in writing. I don’t use that word.

Watson released his own statement through the Toronto Raptors, where he is now an assistant coach.

“I’m not interested in getting into an ongoing factual battle,” Watson said. “Instead, I want to applaud the courage of the many players, leaders and staff to fight the toxic environments of racial insensitivity, sexual harassment and micro-aggression with their truth.

“Basketball and 17 years in the NBA have given me the financial privilege to speak my truth, but we cannot forget those who must remain silent for fear of losing their jobs.”

The report also details a story of how Sarver circulated a photo of his wife in a Suns bikini to employees. The report says more than a dozen employees also said Sarver used to “make obscene comments in meetings with all staff.”

In the ESPN story, Bass said that the NBA had “not received a malpractice complaint from the Suns organization through any of our processes, including our confidential malpractice hotline or any other correspondence “.

Sarver has owned the Suns since 2004. The 59-year-old Phoenix businessman also owns the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.

LAKERS: LeBron James did not play Thursday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to abdominal tension that could keep him out for at least a week, according to people with knowledge of the situation and not authorized to go express publicly on the subject.

James and the Lakers are taking a “cautious” approach with the 19-year veteran, knowing the forward “may be out for longer or may return sooner.” The Lakers have announced that James has a strained rectus muscle and will be out for Thursday night’s game at Staples Center.

James, who turns 37 next month, missed two games last week with pain in his right ankle. He is second to the Lakers in scoring (24.8) and assists (7.0) and first in minutes per game (37.0) and steals (2.3).

THURSDAY GAMES

76ERS 109, PISTONS 98: Seth Curry scored 23 points, Tyrese Maxey added 20 and shorthanded Philadelphia took the win in Detroit.

Joel Embiid had 19 points and nine rebounds for Philadelphia. Shake Milton scored 16 points. The Sixers, playing for the second night in a row, used just eight players. Furkan Korkmaz (wrist) has been absent, while former Pistons forward Tobias Harris has been sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols.

Jeremi Grant scored 27 for the Pistons, but just five in the second half. Cade Cunningham had 18 points and 11 rebounds.

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