A distressing chapter unfolded for the Dallas Mavericks as an unsettling event unfolded beyond the realm of basketball. Assistant coach Darrell Armstrong found himself in the spotlight of controversy following an arrest for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, as reported by Dallas TV station WFAA. The alleged incident involved Armstrong striking a woman with a gun and issuing threats to shoot her during a heated altercation, according to the Dallas Police Department.
Law enforcement officers swiftly responded to a distress call around 3:45 a.m. on a fateful Saturday, promptly taking Armstrong into custody at the scene. Subsequently, he was able to secure his release on bond set at $35,000.
An arrest warrant affidavit revealed that the victim disclosed to the authorities previous instances of violent encounters with Armstrong that had not been reported, as she had been apprehensive about his potential consequences and job security, as per Dallas-Fort Worth’s Fox 4 news outlet.
Acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, the Mavericks issued a statement to WFAA, confirming Armstrong’s administrative suspension. The statement emphasized the team’s commitment to thoroughly investigating the matter and upholding a vigilant approach in response to unfolding legal proceedings. The organization stated, “The Dallas Mavericks are aware of an incident involving a member of our staff and are gathering all relevant information surrounding the incident. We take this matter seriously. The employee has been placed on administrative suspension pending the outcome of legal proceedings. This matter is currently under review by the appropriate legal authorities. Due to this fact, we will allow the legal process to run its course, and we will refrain from further comment while proceedings are ongoing.”
Having joined the Mavericks in a player development capacity back in 2009, Armstrong has served as an assistant coach for ten seasons. Prior to his coaching tenure, he enjoyed a distinguished 14-season career as an NBA player, earning accolades such as the Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year awards in 1999 with the Orlando Magic. Armstrong notably played for the Dallas Mavericks from 2004 to 2006, in addition to stints with the New Orleans Hornets, Indiana Pacers, and New Jersey Nets during his professional basketball career.
