Clippers coach Doc Rivers sends Glen Davis to locker room after exchange
Glen Davis (left) was involved in a verbal exchange with coach Doc Rivers on Saturday. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Clippers coach Doc Rivers sent Glen "Big Baby" Davis" to the locker room for disciplinary reasons during the second quarter of L.A.'s 118-107 road victory over Houston on Saturday night.
Davis was removed from the game with 10:21 remaining in the second quarter and he did not return, finishing with zero points (on 0-for-2 shooting) and one steal in just four minutes of action. The seven-year NBA veteran never returned to the team's bench during the second half.
"I love Baby," Rivers said, according to the Orange County Register. "I just didn’t think emotionally he was ready to play tonight so we told him to go into the locker room."
The Los Angeles Times reported that Rivers made the decision after a verbal exchange with Davis.
Glen Davis just got pulled out of game and said something to Doc, who yelled at Baby, "Sit your [expletive] down."
Doc Rivers just told team security to take Glen Davis to locker room. Rivers clearly not happy with Davis. Assistant coach Alvin Gentry had went to talk to Davis, but apparently Rivers didn't care. Davis back in locker room.
ESPNLA.com also reported the exchange between player and coach.
Davis was visibly upset as he walked toward the team bench after being taken out of the game for Ryan Hollins in Saturday night's showdown against the Houston Rockets.
Davis exchanged words with Rivers and was told to sit down. Clippers assistant coach Alvin Gentry attempted to talk to Davis, but Rivers apparently had seen and heard enough and told team security to escort Davis back to the locker room.
The 28-year-old Davis signed with the Clippers in February after reaching a buyout agreement with the Magic. The signing reunited Davis with Rivers, who coached the 6-foot-9 forward with the Celtics from 2007 to 2011.
Trouble has had a way of finding Davis in recent years. He was fined $35,000 by the NBA in March 2012 when he flipped the bird to fans in Toronto during a Magic win over the Raptors. In February 2012, he was suspended by the Magic for two games after an outburst at a team shootaround. Then, in November 2013, the Magic fined Davis for his involvement in a late-night incident in which he broke a computer keyboard at an Orlando budget motel.
The Clippers improved to 52-22 with the victory over the Rockets thanks to 30 points (on 10-for-16 shooting), 12 assists, five rebounds and three steals from Chris Paul. DeAndre Jordan added 20 points (on 7-for-10 shooting) and 12 rebounds for L.A.
