Matt Barnes discusses fight with Derek Fisher: 'Life happens'

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Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes said Thursday during his Memphis media session that his weekend altercation in Los Angeles with Knicks coach Derek Fisher "is a personal matter."

Barnes reportedly was upset at Fisher after finding out that his former teammate was dating Barnes' estranged wife, Gloria Govan. Barnes went to Govan's residence in L.A., where she was having an evening with Fisher and friends, and Barnes allegedly got into a physical confrontation with Fisher.

"What happened Saturday is a personal matter at this point," he said. "Being around this league long enough, I know that my personal concern is always my kids, their health, happiness and safety. Outside of that, I'm here to focus on basketball.

"We're going to let the process take place and just focus on playing right now."

He didn't go into much depth, saying the details eventually will come out. He added that he wasn't in a position to speak about it right now as the NBA is conducting its investigation. He said he has not spoken to the league yet.

When asked about his relationship with Fisher, Barnes said, "We were friends. We were good friends at one point." When asked again if they are friends now he just reiterated, "We were good friends at one point."

At the end, he said this won't be a distraction for him.

"Life happens," he said. "You have to be able to maneuver and separate your personal life from your professional life."

As for Fisher, he briefly discussed the matter Wednesday night, a few hours after the story broke.

“Personal and private matters are personal and private. We’re obviously public figures, but we’re at work. So I won’t be commenting on anything that’s happened personally or privately for me.”

Barnes and Govan have been separated for a while, although they are still married. The couple have children but have had a rocky relationship. In 2010 the NBA star was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence. Govan, however, denied anything took place.

The original report stated Barnes drove 95 miles to L.A., but ESPN reported Thursday that wasn't true. ESPN's report says Barnes was already in L.A. when one of his children texted him and said Fisher was at Govan's house. 

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Jordan Heck is a social media producer at Sporting News