A female sports reporter has reportedly filed a lawsuit alleging Kings coach Luke Walton sexually assaulted her sometime before he became head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
TMZ reported Monday evening that Kelli Tennant, who used to work for Spectrum Sportsnet LA, is suing Walton over an encounter in a Santa Monica hotel room. TMZ cited legal documents alleging Walton pinned Tennant to the bed in his room, forced kisses on her face, neck and chest, groped her breasts and groin, and rubbed his erection on her leg.
The TMZ report does not specify when the alleged sexual assault occurred, but it does indicate it happened before Walton began coaching the Lakers in 2016.
Walton could not immediately be reached for comment. The Kings released a written statement.
"We are aware of the report and are gathering additional information," the Kings said in a written statement. "We have no further comment at this time."
