NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey Nets sixth man Terrence Williams will miss the next two games after repeatedly breaking team rules.
Nets coach Avery Johnson said the second-year guard will be inactive for Tuesday night’s home game against the Atlanta Hawks and won’t travel to Boston for Wednesday night’s game.
Johnson wouldn’t discuss specifics. The coach said Williams has been fined a couple of times, and the message hasn’t sunk in.
“It has been something that we have dealt with for the past two to three weeks or so, and I don’t know if he completely understands what we are trying to do,” said Johnson, adding that Williams being inactive was a substitute for a fine.
Williams, who missed five of the last seven games with an abdominal injury, was told by the team to stay home Tuesday. He wasn’t available for comment.
Johnson said Williams’ situation would be evaluated day by day, and added that he wants to focus on the players in uniform who are working hard and buying into his system.
“It’s a joy to coach them; they really get after it in practice,” the Nets’ new coach said.
Johnson hinted that Williams wasn’t being consistent with his approach to the game.
“One of the things with the NBA is not about being an NBA player, it’s about being a professional,” Johnson said, adding he would have more to say about Williams in a day or two.
Williams was averaging 6.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists in eight games this season.
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