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Rashard Lewis, Washington Wizards Deny Report Of Verbal Altercation, According To Report

The Wizards have denied a report that Rashard Lewis and Sam Cassell got into a verbal altercation before the game, causing Lewis to be benched.

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Rashard Lewis, Flip Saunders Deny Report Of Verbal Altercation Before Wizards Vs. Timberwolves Game

Rashard Lewis and Flip Saunders have both publicly denied a report by CSN Washington's Frank Hanrahan suggesting Lewis did not play on Sunday because he got into a verbal altercation with assistant coach Sam Cassell. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Lewis stood by his story that he had a knee injury, accusing people of "trying to make up stories" because the team is losing.

Via Michael Lee of the Washington Post:

Lewis "The only reason I didn’t play was because my knee was sore. Even if I did get into an argument with Sam, I still would have played."

Wizards coach Flip Saunders also denied the story, and Lewis said he wasn't on the bench because he didn't have a sports coat. Lewis did say he and Cassell had a "friendly disagreement," but that it was not an argument and that he would have played even if it was. Hanrahan, meanwhile, stands by his original story in light of the denial.

For more on the Wizards, visit Bullets Forever.

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Rashard Lewis Refuses To Play For Wizards Vs. Timberwolves After Argument With Sam Cassell, According To Report

The Washington Wizards lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves 92-73 to lose their eighth game in a row and are off to a franchise worst 0-8 start to the NBA season. The Wizards were without forward Rashard Lewis in the loss, who refused to play in the game after an argument with Sam Cassell, according to a report by CSN Washington.

The Wizards are off to a franchise worst 0-8 start, and to make matters more troubling a team source tells CSNwashington.com that Wizards' forward Rashard Lewis got into an argument with Wizards' assistant coach Sam Cassell before the Minnesota game and Lewis decided he didn't want to play.

Lewis did not appear on the bench during the 92-73 loss to the T-Wolves. The Wizards said a sore right knee was the reason for Lewis's absence.

Lewis is off to a poor start to the season, like most of the team, and is averaging just 8.7 points per game on the season. Lewis was picked up in a trade from the Orlando Magic when both teams tried to dump some bad contracts. Lewis continues to remain the highest paid player on the Wizards.

For more on Washington, please visit Bullets Forever, SB Nation's Wizards blog. For all your NBA news and notes visit SB Nation's NBA hub.

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