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New Orleans Pelicans

Houston Rockets fan accused of punching New Orleans Pelicans coach banned from NBA events: report

By Ryan Gaydos Fox News
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An NBA fan accused of punching a New Orleans Pelicans coach in the face late last month reportedly has been banned from all NBA, WNBA and G-League games, as well as 2K League events.

Manuel Garcia, 38, was arrested last week after he allegedly punched Pelicans assistant coach Joe Boylan in the face after the Pelicans wrapped up a win against the Houston Rockets. Garcia, a Rockets fan, appeared to strike Boylan from the sideline.

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The Athletic reported Sunday that Garcia has been banned from all NBA-related events.

Garcia was charged with misdemeanor assault and was out on bail working to secure a lawyer, according to ABC13 Houston. Even before the leaguewide ban, he was forbidden from attending Rockets games.

Garcia's motive for allegedly punching Boylan was not immediately clear.

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“The Rockets won the game. Then one of the assistant coaches for the New Orleans Pelicans was gathering his things and was essentially cold-cocked or blindsided and struck in the face, brutally in my view,” Harris County District Attorney’s Office prosecutor Nathan Beedle said.

Garcia was on probation for an unrelated crime at the time of the punch, Beedle said.

New Orleans assistant coach Joe Boylan before the New Orleans Pelicans versus Los Angeles Lakers game on Feb. 27, 2019, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Icon Sportswire)

New Orleans assistant coach Joe Boylan before the New Orleans Pelicans versus Los Angeles Lakers game on Feb. 27, 2019, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Icon Sportswire)

“Clearly, we are going to take this extremely seriously,” Beedle said. “He is a convicted felon on probation right now charged with a Class A assault of a defenseless person in the case.”

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Brittney Aplin, 33, was also arrested for allegedly preventing police from detaining Garcia.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.