James Bouknight says confrontation with coach was misunderstanding

Charlotte Hornets rookie guard James Bouknight attributed his sideline confrontation with coach James Borrego on Saturday night time to a “misunderstanding,” saying it was about two aggressive individuals attempting to win.

“We talked by it and it’s all good,” Bouknight stated following Tuesday’s apply in his first public feedback for the reason that incident.

The Hornets have been outscored 35-8 by the Miami Warmth within the third quarter of a blowout loss at residence. Bouknight, who performed solely the ultimate 14 seconds of the third quarter, objected to one thing Borrego stated to him on the bench previous to the beginning of the fourth quarter and stood as much as confront the scenario.

Neither Bouknight nor Borrego has mentioned what was stated.

LaMelo Ball, who was seated subsequent to Bouknight on the bench on the time, grabbed his teammate’s arm to carry him again from Borrego earlier than an assistant coach stepped in and escorted Bouknight to the locker room with out additional incident. Bouknight didn’t return to the bench and likewise missed Charlotte’s residence loss to the Toronto Raptors on Monday night time with a sprained left wrist.

The rookie will not be dealing with any disciplinary motion, in line with the group.

Bouknight, the eleventh general choose within the 2021 NBA draft, hasn’t seen a lot enjoying time. He’s performed in solely 25 of the group’s 55 video games, averaging 10 minutes and 4.8 factors per sport.

“I don’t wish to get deep into precisely what it was all about however simply know that we talked about it,” Bouknight stated when he requested if the disagreement centered round his restricted enjoying time. “We talked over the cellphone and we talked in particular person and every part is nice. We try to maneuver ahead and attempting to win video games.”

The Hornets are struggling general, having misplaced 5 straight video games to fall to ninth place within the Jap Convention.

Bouknight stated he loves being in Charlotte, his teammates and the way in which the entrance workplace has handled him since his arrival. He expects to be healed from his sprained left wrist quickly and return to motion.

Borrego stated Monday that issues are good between he and Booknight.

“Clearly, we have been all pissed off, all of us, within the third quarter, early fourth, and it acquired a bit emotional there,” Borrego stated after the sport on Saturday. “Past that, I’ll go away it there.”