National Basketball Association

NBA fines Grizzlies' Barnes $35K for inappropriate comments

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:10 p.m. ET

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NEW YORK (AP) The NBA has fined Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes $35,000 for making ''inappropriate public comments'' condoning violence.

The fine was announced Sunday, a day after Memphis beat the Knicks 103-95 in the teams' first meeting since the league suspended Barnes for two games for fighting with New York coach Derek Fisher in October.

NBA vice president for basketball operations Kiki VanDeWeghe says in a statement: ''Matt Barnes' comments condoning violence do not reflect who we are as a league or the character of our players. His words are unacceptable and entirely inconsistent with the core principles of this game and the NBA.''

According to the Commercial Appeal, Barnes said at the Grizzlies' pregame shootaround: ''Violence is never the answer, but sometimes it is.''

Barnes and Fisher stayed away from each other Saturday night.