Phoenix Suns forwards Marcus and Markieff Morris were charged Tuesday with felony aggravated assault in connection with a Jan. 24 incident.
After the case was reviewed by a grand jury, the Morris twins and three other men were charged in the alleged assault of a 36-year-old man at a recreation center in Phoenix.
One of the other purported attackers is Gerald Bowman, a former USC safety who is working out in preparation for the NFL Draft.
A court appearance was set for May 7.
The victim, identified as Erik Hood, was attending a basketball tournament at the recreation center when he allegedly was beaten and kicked by the suspects. A 27-year-old woman who attended the games with Hood witnessed the attack.
Hood, who was taken to an emergency room after the alleged attack, suffered a broken nose, bruises and abrasions. Police said an inappropriate text message sent to the Morris brothers’ mother was the reason behind the assault.
“Because the offense occurred at a basketball tournament with over 100 in attendance, including many youth under the age of 18, the Phoenix Police detective assigned to this investigation was tasked with tracking down and interviewing all who may have been witness to the assault, including out of state attendees,” Phoenix police said in a statement to ESPN. “After weeks of interviews and information gathering the detective was able to present a cognitive investigation to the Maricopa County Attorney’s office for review.”
Suns president of basketball operations Lon Babby issued a statement, which read as follows: “We are disappointed to learn that Marcus and Markieff Morris have been charged. This is a serious matter, and we will treat it as such. However, at this time, we think it is most appropriate to continue to monitor the legal process as it unfolds before responding further.”
Marcus Morris played in 81 games this season and averaged 10.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Markieff Morris played in all 82 regular-season games and averaged 11.4 points and 5.4 rebounds.
The 25-year-old brothers completed their fourth season in the NBA.
Hawks’ Horford plans to play
Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford expects to play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets after dislocating his right pinky finger in the opening game.
Horford expressed some doubt about his status after Monday’s workout but said Tuesday that the finger was improved and that he planned to be in the starting lineup on Wednesday night.
Teammate Paul Millsap, who has a shoulder injury, practiced Tuesday without a padded compression shirt he has won since missing five games and hopes he won’t need it for Game 2 against the Nets. He made only 2 of 11 shots from the field in Game 1 against Brooklyn.
Horford played the final 5:52 of Monday’s win after injuring the finger. He missed the only two shots he attempted after the injury, which required that his little finger and ring finger be taped together.
Horford had 10 points and 10 rebounds in Game 1. He averaged 15.2 points and 7.2 rebounds during the season.
After Wednesday’s matchup, the best-of-seven series moves to Brooklyn for Games 3 and 4.