National Basketball Association

New York Knicks call Charles Oakley's claims 'pure fiction'

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:49 p.m. ET

Fansided, Phil Naegely/Fansided

The New York Knicks are speaking out against Charles Oakley’s latest claims after he was escorted out of the Knicks’ game on Wednesday night.

On Wednesday night Charles Oakley was escorted out of Madison Square Garden, arrested, and charged with three counts of assault for his altercation with Knicks security. On Thursday released a follow-up statement refuting Charles Oakley’s point of view on Stephen A. Smith’s ESPN radio show on Thursday.

The Knicks’ updated statement to the Oakley situation came after Oakley explain his point of view to Smith during his Thursday radio show, “I was there four minutes, I sit down, I’m talking to people, people are talking back to me, and one of the guys I’m with asks, ‘Why are those guys watching you? Looking at you?’ I’m like, ‘Who?'”. He went on to say that he didn’t say anything to New York Knicks owner James Dolan until he was already in handcuffs.

Oakley apologized for his actions last night despite the conflict of stories between his point of view and the Knicks camp. He also wants to take the high road by trying to work things out with Dolan.

pic.twitter.com/H3zOdegHRq

— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) February 9, 2017

It appears there are two sides of a story here and neither is backing down from their view. The Knicks’ statement from last night including that “we hope he gets some help soon” seems to be a bit excessive and unnecessary. Being on national television also didn’t help the Knicks’ situation.

Oakley was a great player for the Knicks during his time in town. The NBA side should treat him as such in further communication. Both sides should come together and work out their issues before this becomes an even bigger problem. Oakley’s taken the first step to apologize and mention he wants to work things out. It’s only a matter of time until we find out if the Knicks want to too.