Basketball: Breakers claim opponent punched Boucher in car park

11.55am

The New Zealand Breakers have laid a complaint with the Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) after two players were involved in an alleged altercation in Christchurch last night.

Breakers general manager Peter Chapman told NZPA today that Perth Wildcats player Rashad Tucker allegedly punched Breakers forward Dillon Boucher in the car park outside the Westpac Centre after the game.

"There was an alleged altercation which we deemed inappropriate and we've asked the ANBL to investigate the matter," Chapman said.

"There was one punch reportedly thrown and it was not by Dillon Boucher.

"This flowed on from an incident that happened on the court."

After last night's game, won by the Breakers 104-97, Boucher was cited for an unsportsmanlike foul on Tucker that caused him to be sent off the court late in the third quarter by referee Alan Godden.

Chapman said Boucher was waiting by himself near the team bus after the game.

When the Perth players were leaving "a talk between two players got a bit heated."

Chapman said no other Breakers were involved, but team management had investigated the matter and felt Boucher was innocent of any antagonism that allegedly occurred.

Chapman said Boucher, a New Zealand representative, received a split lip after the incident.

"Our concern is that we are playing Perth (at the North Shore Events Centre) tomorrow and we are asking ANBL to act quickly on the complaint," Chapman said.

- NZPA