Charles Oakley's Version of Arrest Described as 'Pure Fiction' by Knicks

The New York Knicks described Charles Oakley's versions of the events that led to his dismissal from Wednesday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers as "pure fiction" in a statement Thursday. 

"There are dozens of security staff, employees and NYPD that witnessed Oakley's abusive behavior," the statement read. "It started when he entered the building and continued until he was arrested and left the building. Every single statement we have received is consistent in describing his actions. Everything he said since the incident is pure fiction."

Oakley told the New York Daily News he did not yell at Knicks owner James Dolan, as was reported after his ejection from Madison Square Garden.  

“I was there for four minutes,” Oakley said. “I didn’t say anything to him. I swear on my mother. They came over and wanted to know why I was sitting there. I bought the ticket. I said why do you guys keep staring at me. Then they asked me to leave. And I said I’m not leaving."

The Daily News, citing sources, also discounts Oakley's version of the events. According to people who were close to the altercation, Oakley was asked to leave after yelling at Dolan. He then got into a physical scuffle with Garden security, shoving guards before being arrested and forcibly removed from the arena.

Police charged Oakley with three counts of assault and criminal trespassing. The Knicks released a statement Wednesday night calling Oakley's behavior "highly abusive and completely inappropriate."

The incident continued a long-running feud between Dolan and Oakley, who played for the Knicks from 1988 to 1998.  In February 2015, Oakley called Dolan a "motherf--ker" and told reporters he was a "bad guy." He also blames Dolan's grudge against him for why he no longer has a working relationship with the franchise.