The NBA is a minefield for drama and the encounter between the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Milwaukee Bucks was no exception. To add twist to the hardwood court spectacle, sources are now claiming that Derek Fisher is once again rejoicing over the latest dagger thrown at Matt Barnes' dubious reputation in the basketball community. In what could only be described as an uncontrollable need to vent their frustration during the game, Barnes and Milwaukee Bucks star John Henson found themselves ejected due to their behaviour in the hardwood court. However, only one of them will serve a suspension for the same incident.
Barnes and Henson were ejected during the latter part of the 96-86 win of the Milwaukee Bucks against the Memphis Grizzlies. Henson was charged with taunting, with the said foul identified as his second technical for the said game. Meanwhile, Barnes was given the same call. He was later on ejected due to his continued utterance of obscenities during the game. Although both let their tempers get away from them that night, the Memphis Grizzlies star took it one step closer - Barnes reportedly tried to barge in the Milwaukee Bucks locker room to confront Henson.
This move from Barnes resulted in the NBA's decision to suspend him for one game. He will serve the suspension in the Memphis Grizzlies' match against the Los Angeles Clippers. Apart from Barnes, the team will also be dealing with the injuries of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Mike Conley will be absent as well. Barnes will incur a setback of $40,000 due to his suspension.
"It's a tough deal," commented Dave Joerger of the suspension. He added, "You might agree or disagree, I'm not going to get into that."
Despite the challenge of working with injured players and now a suspended one, the Memphis Grizzlies head coach said that the suspension is "fair." However, Joerger hinted that Barnes might find more things to fuel his emotions. Referring to the PDA photos of Gloria Govan and Derek Fisher, the head coach shared that the suspension will only serve to further aggravate the Memphis Grizzlies star.
"Joerger ultimately says Barnes suspension was fair. Says TMZ photos of Barnes ex-wife with Derek Fisher might not have helped Barnes' mood," said Geoff Calkins via social media. He added, "Here's the Joerger quote on Barnes: 'I'm sure Matt didn't have a good day when pictures came out of his ex-wife and Derek Fisher on TMZ.'"
As for Barnes, the Memphis Grizzlies star denied the allegations that he set out to confront Henson. According to him, he was misled by a staff member in the arena. Barnes further shared that when he found out he was in the wrong place, he immediately left and went to the Memphis Grizzlies locker room.
"I got led into the wrong room, so once I realized I wasn't where I was supposed to be, I left and went into my locker room," Barnes shared. On the issue that security offices asked Henson to delay his departure - waiting longer than the others to ensure that the Memphis Grizzlies bus was no longer in the area - Barnes shrugged it off and attributed it to the Milwaukee Bucks star being "scared."
Barnes said, "Maybe he was just scared. I don't know why he was waiting. The situation happened on the court. He didn't want it to spill over, I didn't want it to spill over and they beat us."
