Clippers Win In NY; Knicks Legend Ejected From Stands

NEW YORK (AP) — Blake Griffin scored a season-high 32 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat New York 119-115 on Wednesday night after former Knicks star Charles Oakley was ejected and arrested in the first quarter.

DeAndre Jordan added 28 points and 15 rebounds for the Clippers, who rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to snap a three-game losing streak.

Carmelo Anthony had 28 points and Kristaps Porzingis 27 on a night there was plenty of fight from the Knicks — especially Oakley.

The rugged power forward was removed after an altercation with arena security near the seat of Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan.

Anthony played well the day after Phil Jackson took another dig at him on Twitter by referencing an article that was critical of the forward. Coach Jeff Hornacek acknowledged it may have been a distraction but one he expected the Knicks to play through, and they had a chance to tie before Anthony missed a 3-pointer down 118-115.

Griffin then put it away with a free throw with 5.9 seconds left.

The Knicks lost their third in a row on a bizarre day even for one of the NBA's most dysfunctional franchise.

The Jackson-Anthony feud dominated the pregame talk but quickly took a back seat to the main event between Oakley and Dolan. Oakley was a popular Knick during the 1990s but has fallen out of favor with the franchise because of his criticisms of Dolan.

He shouted at Dolan from a seat a couple of rows behind until security came. Oakley shoved a couple of them before he was removed while players on both teams watched as Porzingis was preparing to shoot free throws. Fans chanted "Oakley! Oakley!" as he was led to the tunnel, handcuffed and eventually taken by New York Police.

TIP-INS

Clippers: Clippers coach Doc Rivers and assistant Mike Woodson both played for the Knicks. Woodson later coached the team to playoff appearances in 2012 and 2013. ... Clippers got his 785th win, passing Gene Shue for 15th place on the NBA career coaching list.

Knicks: Hornacek said forward Lance Thomas, who has missed 13 games with a broken bone in his face, is having fewer headaches and doing more in practice. He may take contact in Thursday's practice with the hope of playing Friday or Sunday. But Joakim Noah (sore left hamstring) is probably unavailable Friday, with Sunday a possibility.

UP NEXT

Clippers: Visit Charlotte on Saturday to end the eastern portion of their five-game trip, which ends at Utah.

Knicks: Home again Friday to face Denver, Anthony's former team.