The Los Angeles Lakers are looking into the sexual harassment claim made by a woman against players Nick Young and Jordan Clarkson. A spokesman of the team reported that there are "different interpretations" about the incident, which was first revealed by female-empowerment activist Alexis Jones.
In an interview, Alexis Jones revealed that an incident involving the two Lakers players took place at around 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Hollywood, when the parties' cars were stopped at an intersection. Jones revealed photos of the incident online in which she claims the players were "yelling and making the most disgustingly vulgar gestures" at her and her mother, The Washington Post noted.
Lakers spokesman John Black stated that the team is looking at the situation "very seriously" and that they have received communication from Jones, as well as players Nick Young and Jordan Clarkson.
Black revealed that based on the initial conversation they've had with the parties, it appears that they have different interpretations of what transpired. He also stated that while the team supports Young and Clarkson and stands by their side of the story, they will not discredit Jones and will still support her feelings towards the controversy and her fine work as a women's rights advocate.
"The situation, like we said, was just a miscommunication between both sides," said shooting guard Jordan Clarkson, according to ESPN. "We don't want to go into further detail about who's right and who's wrong in that situation. But at the end of the day, it was a miscommunication."
While both players did not share their version of the story, Lakers backup guard Nick Young commented on how the controversy escalated within 48 hours.
"You've just got to watch your surroundings," Young commented. "We live in a world where social media plays a big part in what you do, so you've just got to be careful about your surroundings and where you're at."
Black added that they tried to set up a meeting with Jones, Young and Clarkson to discuss the matter, but Jones was unavailable.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have not expressed an intention to impose any disciplinary action against Young and Clarkson.
