National Basketball Association

Garnett talks to Karl after game

Published Dec. 8, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett has spoken to Nuggets coach George Karl to explain comments that were viewed as mocking cancer patients.

Karl is recovering from throat and neck cancer just a few years after beating prostate cancer. Doctors have given him a clean bill of health.

Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva said on Twitter last month that the trash-talking turned vicious during the Celtics' Nov. 2 game at Detroit and Garnett called him a ''cancer patient.'' Villanueva has alopecia universalis, a medical condition that results in hair loss.

Garnett denied making fun of cancer patients and said he called Villanueva ''cancerous to your team and our league.''

Garnett said he wanted to explain himself to Karl. After the Celtics beat Denver on Wednesday night, the Nuggets' coach said he appreciated Garnett taking the time to do so.