Rockets G Kevin Porter Jr. arraigned on charges stemming from incident he allegedly fractured girlfriend’s vertebra
Editor's note: This story includes graphic description of alleged domestic violence.
Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. was arraigned Tuesday on felony assault and strangulation charges in connection to his alleged attack on his girlfriend at a New York City hotel, according to the Associated Press.
The 23-year-old was arrested Monday, ABC News reported. This came after his alleged attack left the woman with a fractured neck vertebra and a cut above her right eye, prosecutors reportedly said during the arraignment.
He was reportedly ordered to post $75,000 cash or obtain a $100,000 bond to secure his release which requires him to stay away from the woman, per the AP.
Porter is alleged to have returned early Monday morning to the Millennium Hotel in Times Square, where he was staying with his girlfriend. She was reportedly upset about his late return and locked him out of the room. After he gained access to the room via hotel security, he assaulted her, per the report. He didn't stop until his girlfriend ran out into the hallway covered in blood, prosecutors said.
Police responded to a 911 call to the room at 6:45 a.m. ET, the Houston Chronicle reported.
“Upon arrival officers were informed that a 26-year-old female sustained a laceration to the right side of her face and was complaining about pain to her neck,” a police spokesperson said. “A preliminary investigation on scene determined that a known individual struck her multiple times upon her body and placed his hands around her neck."
In court Tuesday, Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Mirah Curzer reportedly said Porter has a history of abusing the woman, including an incident during which he drove his car into hers. “This is a serious domestic violence case,” Curzer said. The woman was hospitalized after the assault.
The Rockets issued a statement Monday afternoon.
"We are in the process of gathering information surrounding the matter involving Kevin Porter Jr.," a Rockets statement read, per ESPN. "We have no further comment at this time."
As did NBA spokesman Mike Bass.
“We are aware of the reports regarding Kevin Porter Jr," Bass' statement read. "The league office is in contact with the Houston Rockets and in the process of gathering more information."
He is entering his fifth season in the NBA. Selected with the 30th pick of the 2019 draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, he was traded and played for the the Cleveland Cavaliers as a rookie.
He sat the early portion of the 2020-21 season after a single car crash led to charges of “improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, transport loaded firearm in a motor vehicle accessible to operator or any passenger without leaving the vehicle.” Those charges were later dropped, but Porter never played for the Cavaliers again.
Cleveland traded him that season after a reported outburst in the locker room where he was accused of yelling and throwing food and being combative with then-general manager Koby Altman. He was reportedly upset about having his locker given to trade acquisition Taurean Prince.
Porter has developed into a key player in Houston's young core and had his best season in 2022-23, averaging 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 36.6% from 3-point distance.
Porter is expected to be back in court in Manhattan on Oct. 16. Houston is scheduled to play a preseason game that day in San Antonio.
