Former Knicks star Charles Oakley arrested after altercation in MSG
Popular player has had disagreements with team owner James Dolan
Former Knicks star Charles Oakley was escorted from his seats at Madison Square Garden after an altercation near team owner James Dolan.
Oakley appeared to shove security guards before they pulled him away from his seat behind the baseline during the first quarter of the Knicks' game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. Fans chanted "Oakley! Oakley!" in support of the popular power forward.
Oakley played for the Knicks from 1988-98, helping them reach the NBA Finals, but has a poor relationship with the team because of his criticisms of Dolan, the Madison Square Garden chairman.
The Knicks said in a tweet that Oakley "behaved in a highly inappropriate and completely abusive manner" and was being arrested.
Charles Oakley gets physical with Knicks owner James Dolan. Oakley has been arrested by the NYPD.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BALLGOD?src=hash">#BALLGOD</a> <a href="https://t.co/FAmguAVtpl">pic.twitter.com/FAmguAVtpl</a>
—@theballgodThe altercation took place just a few rows behind the court during a stoppage in play as Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis was shooting free throws, and players from both teams turned to watch.
Security was called to Oakley's seat after he was shouting at Dolan, sitting not far ahead in his usual seat in the first row behind the baseline. Oakley shoved one security official in the face, though neither he nor any other arena staff threw any punches or pushed Oakley back.
Oakley was handcuffed near an arena exit as he waited for police to arrive.
The 6-foot-8 Oakley was a rugged enforcer playing alongside Patrick Ewing on the Knicks teams of the 1990s and has kept his tough-guy persona long after retirement, trading barbs with former rival Charles Barkley recently.
Oakley played for the Toronto Raptors from 1998-2001.