The Pacers’ sudden downward spiral took another jolt Thursday, when the team suspended assistant coach Greg Foster and fined center Goga Bitadze for an on-court exchange during a home loss to the Kings, the team announced.
The Pacers called it an “internal team matter” and said no other details will be released.
This is just the latest dose of bad news for the Pacers after reports of friction between coach Nate Bjorkgren and the players and coaching staff surfaced earlier this week. All of it comes in the middle of the injury-riddled team’s push for a playoff spot.
“After a Kings dunk in the lane, Foster called on Bitadze to protect the rim better,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported. “Down the floor, Bitadze made a 3-pointer and turned toward the Pacers bench and told Foster to ‘Sit the f— down,’ according to replay and confirmed by sources.”
Meanwhile, Bjorkgren responded to reports of issues between him, the rest of the coaching staff and a tumultous locker room prior to the loss to the Kings.
“You know I don’t make excuses for things,” he told reporters before the game. “I’m a young coach. I’m learning, I’m growing and I’m trying to be better. This is on me. I’m the head coach and fingers should be pointed at me. I love coaching this team and the relationships with these coaches and players, I’ve just got to keep getting better.”
The Pacers (30-35) sit in ninth place in the Eastern Conference entering Thursday’s game vs. the Hawks, coached by former Pacers coach Nate McMillan.
