The biggest NBA scandals have always pushed the league into the spotlight for the wrong reasons..
The latest gambling case has revived those old fears. Court filings revealed that injury information involving LeBron James and Anthony Davis appeared in a federal indictment.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and former player Damon Jones have also been arrested.
From Tim Donaghy’s betting ring to the Malice at the Palace, here are seven of the biggest NBA scandals.
Tim Donaghy – 2007 betting scandal
No NBA scandal cut deeper than the Tim Donaghy case. The veteran referee was caught betting on games he officiated, sending shockwaves through a league built on trust.
Investigators found that Donaghy shared inside information with gamblers and used his position to influence outcomes.
Donaghy resigned before being charged with conspiracy and wire fraud, serving 15 months in prison.
His story turned into a Netflix documentary, a book deal, and a permanent stain on the sport.
Even years later, every missed call in a tight playoff game invites comparison to that summer of 2007.
Malice at the Palace – 2004
The Malice at the Palace remains one of the ugliest nights in NBA history.
What began as a hard foul turned into a full-scale brawl that spilled into the stands and changed the league forever.
When a fan threw a drink at Ron Artest, chaos erupted. Artest charged into the crowd, punches flew, and several players followed into the melee.
Nine players were suspended, with Artest banned for the rest of the season.
The NBA introduced new conduct and security rules within weeks, desperate to repair its image.
Donald Sterling – 2014 racism scandal
The Donald Sterling scandal forced the NBA to confront racism inside its own ownership ranks.
The NBA banned the longtime Los Angeles Clippers owner for life after recordings surfaced of him making racist remarks.
The backlash was instant. Players threatened to boycott, sponsors pulled deals, and the league moved quickly to strip Sterling of control.
Commissioner Adam Silver announced the lifetime ban within days, a moment that drew rare public applause.
Sterling’s forced sale to Steve Ballmer ended one of the darkest chapters in team ownership.
The case became a turning point for player empowerment and accountability across American sports.
Kobe Bryant – 2003 sexual assault case
Kobe Bryant’s 2003 sexual assault case shook both the NBA and American culture.
Prosecutors dropped the criminal charges after the accuser declined to testify, and the two later settled the civil case privately.
Bryant maintained his innocence, claiming the encounter was consensual.
Authorities accused the Los Angeles Lakers star of assaulting a 19-year-old hotel worker in Colorado, triggering months of headlines and legal battles.
Nike and other sponsors paused their deals, and Bryant’s image took years to recover.
On the court, he played through the turmoil, flying between games and court appearances.
Gilbert Arenas – 2009 locker room gun incident
Gilbert Arenas’ gun incident remains one of the biggest NBA scandals.
The Washington Wizards star brought firearms into the locker room after a dispute with teammate Javaris Crittenton over a gambling debt.
The confrontation became public when details leaked, and the league faced a crisis.
Both players were suspended, with Arenas banned indefinitely and later pleading guilty to a gun charge.
His reputation never recovered, and the Wizards quickly moved on from their former franchise face.
Latrell Sprewell – 1997 choking incident
Latrell Sprewell’s 1997 outburst defined a generation of NBA controversy.
During a Golden State Warriors practice, he choked head coach P.J. Carlesimo after taking issue with his criticism.
The altercation lasted seconds but changed his career forever.
Sprewell was suspended for the rest of the season and lost millions in salary.
He later returned with the Knicks and helped them reach the 1999 Finals, but the label of volatility never left him.
The incident became a defining image of the league’s rougher era, where tempers and talent often collided in full view of the cameras.
Ime Udoka – 2022 Celtics suspension
Ime Udoka’s sudden fall from grace shocked the modern NBA.
Months after guiding Boston to the Finals, the Celtics suspended him for the entire 2022–23 season after he violated team policies involving a relationship with a staff member.
The Celtics kept details private, sparking debate about workplace ethics and transparency.
Udoka apologised publicly before leaving the organisation, later resurfacing as coach of the Houston Rockets.
His suspension derailed one of the league’s best young teams and turned a rising coaching star into a reminder of how quickly reputations can crumble.
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