NBA News Today: Amar'e Stoudemire charged with battery after alleged assault on daughter, NBA will consider Mexico City for expansion, and more
Former six-time NBA All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire was arrested Saturday on domestic violence charges. He allegedly punched his teenage daughter in the face.
In other news, the NBA is considering Mexico City as an expansion team destination, according to commissioner Adam Silver.
On that note, here is the latest news from around the NBA as of Dec. 19, 2022.
Former NBA All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire arrested on domestic violence charges
Amar'e Stoudemire was arrested Saturday on domestic violence charges. This came after Stoudemire allegedly punched one of his teenage daughters in the face during an argument, according to CBS Miami.
The dispute reportedly took place after Stoudemire did not like the disrespectful way that his daughter was speaking to her grandmother over the phone. This eventually prompted Stoudemire to punch his daughter in the right side of her face. Following the punch, Stoudemire allegedly slapped his daughter in the face and body as well.
Stoudemire’s ex-wife reportedly showed police pictures of her daughter bleeding and crying. The 14-year NBA veteran then told police his daughter was sad because:
"She received a whooping for being disrespectful and a liar."
Stoudemire provided no further comment on the incident.
For CBS Miami's full story, click here.
Adam Silver confirms league will consider expansion to Mexico City
The Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs faced off in Mexico City on Saturday. Shortly before the game, Adam Silver spoke about the possibility of an expansion team coming to Mexico City:
"There's no doubt we will be looking seriously at Mexico City over time."
Silver then went on to say that Mexico City is doing everything right in regards to earning an NBA franchise:
“In terms of México City, I believe you’re doing all the things necessary to demonstrate to the league that ultimately we may be in a position to house an NBA team here. Certainly from a travel standpoint, it’s very accessible, time zone-wise, and of course, climate."
Silver also added that Mexico City is one of the top five NBA markets outside of the US and Canada:
“Over the last three decades, we’ve experienced tremendous growth of the game here in Mexico. It’s now a top-five market outside the US and Canada for the NBA. … Mexico City is the largest city in North America. Incredible population of 120 million people (in Mexico) who love sport."
With an NBA game in Mexico City today, Commissioner Adam Silver addressed a possible expansion team in Mexico. I believe two U.S. cities get expansion teams first but the league is serious about Mexico City and its market as Silver reiterated in his comments: https://t.co/ar7VaPF9dC
Many have assumed that if the league expands that it will most likely be within the US, to cities like Seattle and Las Vegas. So it will be interesting for fans to see what direction the league ends up going in if they do decide to expand.
Anthony Davis out at least one month with right foot injury
LA Lakers All-Star forward Anthony Davis is expected to miss at least a month with a right foot injury. The news comes via reports from The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis is expected to miss at least one month after suffering a right foot injury, multiple sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis will be sidelined “indefinitely” with a right foot injury, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
Davis sustained the injury in the first half of LA’s 126-108 win over Denver on Friday and did not return in the second half.
The injury is the latest in a long line of injuries Davis has sustained throughout his Lakers tenure. After playing just 76 games the last two seasons, Davis played in 25 of the Lakers’ first 28 games this season. He is now facing another extended absence.
Davis leads the Lakers in scoring (27.4PPG), rebounding (12.1RPG), steals (1.3SPG) and blocks (2.1BPG), while shooting 59.3%. It will be difficult for the Lakers to replicate his production.
The Lakers are now 13-16 and 12th in the Western Conference following their 119-117 win against Washington without Davis on Sunday night. The win moves LA to 2-2 without Davis this season.
Ja Morant reacts to NBA’s explanation for questionable ejection
Memphis Grizzlies All-Star point guard Ja Morant was ejected from the first half of Memphis’ 115-109 loss to OKC on Saturday night. The ejection came after Morant received his second technical foul for what appeared to be him having a casual conversation with a fan sitting courtside.
However, NBA official John Goble later provided a different explanation:
“Morant was assessed his second technical foul for making a comment questioning the integrity of the officials."
Morant has since reacted, indicating that Goble is lying, via an image he shared on Twitter.
twitter.com/drewhill_dm/st… https://t.co/sPvjBHyTvU
Either way, many have agreed that it’s not a good look for referees to be ejecting star players so quickly over so little. Despite the frustrating loss, Morant and the Grizzlies remain in first place in the Western Conference at 19-10.
NBA fines Al Horford for elbow to groin against Moritz Wagner
Boston Celtics center Al Horford was fined $25,000 by the league for elbowing Orlando Magic big man Moritz Wagner in the groin. The incident occurred in the third quarter of the Celtics’ 117-109 home loss to the Magic on Friday. Horford was called for a Flagrant Foul 2 and was ejected for the play.
The Celtics have since lost to the Magic again on Sunday, 95-92, without superstar forward Jayson Tatum. The two surprising wins by Orlando marked their fifth and sixth straight win of the season after starting just 5-20. Orlando’s wins have all come against quality opponents too in the LA Clippers, Toronto twice, Atlanta and now Boston twice. The winning streak marks Orlando’s first six-game winning streak since 2019.
The two losses to Orlando dropped Boston to second place in the Eastern Conference at 22-9, behind the league-best Milwaukee Bucks (21-8). Meanwhile, Orlando is now 11-20 and 13th in the Eastern Conference with a real shot at the Play-In Tournament.