PLAYA VISTA, Calif. – Clippers forward Matt Barnes will sit out the team’s season opener Wednesday night after he was suspended by the NBA following a no-contest plea in state court to resisting, delaying or obstructing an officer in the discharge of his duties, the league said Tuesday.
Barnes, who was signed as a free agent last month after played the previous two seasons with the Lakers, will not be available for the Clippers’ opener against the Memphis Grizzles at Staples Center.
According to published reports, Barnes was arrested in Manhattan Beach in July on an outstanding misdemeanor traffic warrant and for allegedly threatening a police officer.
Barnes reportedly was arrested by an officer who was aware that he had an outstanding traffic warrant and had not paid the $26,000 warrant.
As a result of his plea to misdemeanor charges, Barnes was given probation and must serve 30 hours of community service and must attend three months of counseling.
The Clippers made no statement regarding the suspension.
