Clippers' Dawson Arrested on Spousal Abuse Charge

LOS ANGELES, CA - Los Angeles Clippers reserve player T was arrested in Playa Vista today on suspicion of felony spousal abuse and did not suit up for an afternoon game at Staples Center.

The 23-year-old rookie was arrested about 8:30 a.m., according to sheriff's online jail records.

Dawson wasn't on the bench when the Clippers tipped off against the Cleveland Cavaliers, because he was being held at the LAPD's Pacific Station jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. He was released about 1:15 p.m.

At 1:53 p.m. the Clipper forward sent out a Tweet on his "Branden Dawson" Twitter account, saying only, "Trust God."

Officers were called about 7:30 a.m. to residence in the 6500 block of Crescent Park, where Dawson was taken into custody, according to Officer Rosario Herrera of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section.

The Clippers acquired Dawson last year in a draft-night trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. He averaged 12.8 points and 10.3 rebounds while playing for the Clippers in an Orlando summer league, then joined the NBA squad this year, ESPN reported. As a bench player, he is averaging .7 points per game.

The Pelicans had picked Dawson at number 56 in the June 2015 draft. Dawson played four years at Michigan State, finishing as the school's career leader in blocks with 142.

Dawson is due to appear at the Airport Courthouse on April 7, according to the sheriff's department.

City News Service; Photo: Twitter and commons.wikimedia.org