Kevin Garnett May Face Suspension for Bill Walker Altercation

Kevin Garnett is facing a possible fine and suspension for his physical altercation with Bill Walker at the end of the Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks game yesterday.

KG momentarily grabbed Walker by the throat after missing a potential game-tying jumper at the buzzer, and the two had to be separated by officials and players from both sides.

A. Sherrod Blakely, a Celtics Insider for NBC’s ProBasketballTalk.com, believes that the league office could be calling the former MVP after they review the tape. The Celtics power forward may be reprimanded for losing his cool after a clean, exciting game.

Minor scuffles like this often happen in the NBA, but this one received particularly heavy coverage and replay on national television during the first game of the season. 

Garnett already has a reputation around the league for being a hot head and playing with a mean streak, so going for his defender’s throat after missing a clutch shot will not seem like an isolated incident.

When asked about the altercation at the post-game press conference, KG immediately responded, “Next question.”

Walker was more candid about what happened.

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“I went to contest his shot,’’ Walker said. “I guess he got mad I contested his shot. He grabbed my hand, tangled it up. I pulled my hand away, and then we had a situation...

“I’m a grown-up. You put your hands on my face, what part of the game is that? You know what the man does...Would you want me to put my hands on your face and push you away? I’m a man at the end of the day. It’s disrespectful. You should not do that to any man.’’

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The Knicks swingman was clearly upset about the whole thing and certainly must feel that Garnett should be held accountable for being physical beyond the laws of the game.

Unfortunately for the Celtics, the league will probable deem it necessary to take action because so many people saw it happen on a large stage.

If Garnett is forced to miss some time, it’s going to gravely hurt the C's going forward, as their next game is against the Miami Heat tomorrow night.

Without KG and possibly Paul Pierce, who did not see the court because of an injury yesterday, they have very little hope of upsetting the defending Eastern Conference champs.