Former New York Knicks star Charles Oakley has been charged with three misdemeanor counts of assault and criminal trespassing, the NYPD said, according to ESPN's Ian Begley.
The charges come after a wild scene during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night, where the 53-year-old former NBA power forward was forcibly removed from a courtside seating area by security and then arrested by police.
Related: Charles Oakley forcibly removed from MSG, charged with assault
The situation escalated from Oakley making comments toward MSG chairman James Dolan, according to Begley.
Knicks president Phil Jackson attempted to intervene and calm Oakley, who was reportedly shouting "Dolan did this."
Oakley was booked at the NYPD's Midtown Precinct South and released on a desk appearance ticket, according to multiple reports.
Great scene. An NYPD officer just chanted: "Free Charles Oakley! Free Charles Oakley!"
— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) February 9, 2017
While still a Gotham fan favorite, Oakley is estranged from the Knicks organization and has not been included in the team's 70th anniversary celebrations this season. He has been highly critical of Dolan in the past, calling him a "bad guy."
The drama is yet another chapter in a Knicks season that is devolving into absurdity with the standoff between Jackson and Carmelo Anthony. Naturally, the New York tabloids had a field day with the latest sideshow:
Slow clap, @NYDailyNews pic.twitter.com/qTG8bnzkqS
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) February 9, 2017
Tomorrow's cover: Security drags Charles Oakley out of Knicks game in unreal scene https://t.co/0jZaXVsXpp pic.twitter.com/0LJwj2lAAs
— New York Post (@nypost) February 9, 2017
The Knicks lost to the Clippers 119-115, their third straight defeat and fifth loss in six games.
