2:21pm: Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Mavericks are aware of the situation and are investigating the altercation.
2:18pm: As relayed by Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Mavericks’ big man Kristaps Porzingis was apparently involved in some sort of physical altercation in his home country of Latvia recently, which came to light upon the release of a video showing Porzingis with blood on his face.
While details have not yet been confirmed, there are reports from TMZ Sports that Porzingis was in his hometown of Liepaja this weekend celebrating some occasion when a “handful of Russians confronted Kristaps, supposedly upset with the fact that he’d (left the Knicks for the Mavericks) and an all-out tussle broke out.”
This incident continues an already tumultuous offseason for the 23-year-old, who is also under investigation for an alleged sexual assault in New York against a former neighbor of his in a high rise apartment complex.
When the assault allegations against Porzingis were made in late March, Mavs’ owner Mark Cuban declined to comment, but did say that “some people” (presumably Porzingis) need to do their homework and use some common sense. The Mavericks have yet to comment, but it will be interesting to see what they have to say after this latest incident.
Geez. Dude is about to sign a generational changing contract. As a Mavs fan this is frustrating.
Dude needs some body guards apparently.
Looks like the Knicks are not so dumb after all.
Let’s not get carried away now……
Knicks traded for an awful PG in Dennis smith (who might get replaced and complain if they sign kemba,kyrie etc) and two high drsft picks in the 20s for a 7’3 23yr old allstar
You’re out of your mind
Things I don’t understand…
a) Why people are placing blame on KP when it clearly said that a “bunch of Russians” jumped him because they were mad he left the Knicks, which on it’s face sounds stupid.
b) Why would Cuban say that towards KP? I think you might be mistakenly assuming that was directed towards KP? How’s a guy going to “research” a woman’s intent prior to having sex with them?
It doesn’t sound stupid, it sounds like BS. What has he really got himself involved in?
Why would you assume he instigated anything? He doesn’t have a rep for being a thug, etc? You sound like you already have some sort of beef with KP and you buy into anything that might make him look bad.
I think KP is not the gangster in @Colossus’s scenario. You know, Russian gangsters wanting their money back. One could assume the Baltic underworld is Russian-controlled. IDK, just a guess, don’t quote me, I know nothing!
I’m getting really tired of this mindset that all players in professional sports have to be angels outside of the game. Who cares if he got into a Russian brawl with a bunch of a holes. As long as he did not start it it should not matter
marc cuban’s facing sexual assault charges in portland, oregon – girls posted pics on social media of cuban dead drunk doing bad things to them
Never heard that before
Why would Cuban be in Oregon
Yeah police investigated a claim. In 2011. 8 years ago. Get your facts straight
Russian Knick fans – who knew?
Why would a bunch of Russians care about him leaving the knicks? Didn’t know Russia had knicks fans honestly
A young guy who’s already kinda rich and about to become more so, and standing out at 7’3 really, shouldn’t be bar hopping in Latvia. Yeah, it’s his home country, but he’s going to have to realize that he’s more target than hero in that environment.
Safe to say the Russians are the bad guys here!
None of the NBA’s Baltic-region expats are listed in wiki as being ethnically Russian.
The Russians drafted Alex Len to the national team without his consent. FIBA stood idly by, but sent a stern letter.