Matt Barnes, Derek Fisher reportedly had physical confrontation
Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes and New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher were involved in a physical confrontation over Barnes’s estranged wife, the New York Postreports.
According to the report, Fisher was at the home of Gloria Govan, Barnes’s estranged wife, in Los Angeles. When Barnes found out, “he drove 95 miles to beat the s--- out of Fisher,” his teammate with the Lakers in 2011.
From the Post:
“Derek was in Gloria’s backyard with about 10 people having a bonfire on Saturday,” said a source. “Derek’s separated from his wife and there’s a relationship with [Gloria].” The source added, “Barnes was in Santa Barbara [at Memphis Grizzlies training camp] and heard that Fisher was in his house. He went crazy. He got in his car and went to the house and went after Fisher.”
Speaking before the Knicks’ first preseason game, Fisher said “Personal and private matters will remain private.” He briefed the team on the issue before his press conference.
• BALLARD: Meet Matt Barnes, the NBA’s polarizing pariah (04.10.15)
The Grizzlies released a statement regarding the report, saying, “We are aware and currently gathering information regarding today’s report involving Matt Barnes. We have no further comment at this time.”
Reinventing the New Orleans Pelicans
Post
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports Fisher, who filed for divorce from his wife in March, traveled to L.A. to visit his kids during an off-day. Barnes was in town for Grizzlies training camp.
It was then that Barnes confronted Fisher in Govan’s backyard, and the alteration “escalated from there, into the kitchen and then the home's front room.”
• CAULDRON: East teams set to challenge Cavs| GOLLIVER: West storylines
Barnes had been aware of Fisher and Govan’s relationship for “a few months.”
Fisher is reportedly considering legal action.
- Kenny Ducey
