UPDATE#2 6:46 pm: In pregame interviews, Von Wafer told the Boston Globe, “I don’t know nothing about it. First time hearing about it.”
Doc Rivers said that there was a fight, “and that’s all you need to know.”
UPDATE 4:35 pm: Speaking with the Boston Globe, Celtics GM Danny Ainge confirmed that there had been a fight, but he said nobody is in danger of being let go by the team.“There was an altercation and we just handled it internally and we’ll move forward,” Ainge said. “I talked with the guys. Doc [Rivers] talked with them and we’re just moving forward on it...
We’re not releasing Delonte. There have not been any other of these altercations that have happened this year.
“Guys trash talk and that kind of stuff by I’m not aware of any other altercation among any players at all during the course of the year. These things happen. It’s not acceptable behavior. We’ll just handle it internally and that’s it.
Ainge said there were a lot of “lies” in the story about the team wanting to get rid of West.
2:36 pm: There are little dust ups all the time at NBA practices, the pushing and shoving under the basket gets a little intense, but these guys are your teammates. The rule is when you go to the locker room it all stays out on the court. You let it go.
Delonte West did not follow that rule today, starting a fight with Von Waver in the locker room. Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld described what happened.During a three-on-three game with Avery Bradley, Luke Harangody, Semih Erden and assistant coach Tyronn Lue, West began fouling Wafer each time the reserve guard touched the ball. West was increasingly physical to the point that Wafer exited to the locker room midway through the game. As he walked away, West barked obscenities and taunted Wafer.
After Wafer had showered and sat down at his locker, West approached from behind and threw a punch. Wafer didn’t see the punch coming but quickly got off of the ground and connected on two punches of his own. He then wrestled West to the ground before being separated by the team’s veterans...
Sources close to the situation say that the Danny Ainge and the Celtics have grown tired of West’s confrontations with teammates and are considering releasing the point guard. West is on a non-guaranteed contract and his distractions could result in that deal being terminated.
Adrian Wojnarowski added in a tweet that West thought Wafer responsible for a quote in the Boston media that it was obvious West had gone off his meds. West is treated for bi-polar disorder.
This is bad news for West. Chemistry and fitting in that locker room is paramount in Boston, and starting fights in locker rooms is verboten. West has not played for the team yet as he is serving his 10-game suspension for weapons charges. Add all that together with a non-guaranteed deal and this could be it for West in Boston.