Charles Oakley had a dubious homecoming tonight. A shoving match with officials resulted in the Knicks legend being ejected from Madison Square Garden and arrested by the New York Police Department.
Details are sketchy, but Oak apparently got into some sort of dispute with Knicks owner James Dolan. Attempts to calm him were rebuffed as Oakley shoved and shouted at several Garden officials.
Soooooo Charles Oakley just got into a fight at he Knicks game. pic.twitter.com/klZBD89VI7
— Ian Schafer (@ischafer) February 9, 2017
After Oakley was lead away and cuffed, Knicks president Phil Jackson reportedly attempted to calm Oakley one last time in the Garden tunnel.
The Knicks PR department released a brief statement that referenced Oakley’s behavior as “abusive.”
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) February 9, 2017
At press time, Oakley has been charged with three counts of assault and criminal trespassing. He is denying that he said anything to Dolan and was surrounded by security for no reason.
Dolan and Oakley have had a contentious relationship since the latter’s retirement. Oakley has been public in his criticism of Dolan’s leadership, prompting the Knicks owner to exclude Oakley from all events that have honored former players in recent years.
As if this season couldn’t get any more bizarre. Despite the circumstances, this is still more fight than the Knicks have shown lately. We’ll hear Oakley’s side soon enough.
SBNY Exclusive: Charles Oakley on the ground surrounded by police and Garden security pic.twitter.com/cemhHF4Lu0
— SportsBlogNewYork (@SportBlogNYC) February 9, 2017
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