OD victim taken from Isiah Thomas’ home

  • Associated Press
  • Friday, October 24, 2008 11:46pm
  • SportsSports

NEW YORK — Authorities were called to the home of former New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas, where police said a 47-year-old man was taken to the hospital and treated for an accidental overdose of sleeping pills early Friday morning.

Police would not identify the man, except to give his age. But reached on his cell phone the 47-year-old Thomas told the New York Post he had not been treated for a sleeping pill overdose, and that it was his 17-year-old daughter Lauren who had a medical issue.

It “wasn’t an overdose,” he told the newspaper. “My daughter is very down right now. None of us are OK.”

Harrison Police Chief David Hall refuted Thomas’ claim about his daughter to the New York Times on Friday night.

“I understand that this person claims it was his daughter; he is lying,” Hall told the newspaper. “It was definitely not his daughter, it was a male. We know the difference between a 47-year-old black male and a young black female.”

Hall had earlier said the case was not a suicide attempt.

“We’re classifying it as an accidental overdose of prescription sleeping pills,” Hall said. “I’m not going to confirm or deny that it was Isiah Thomas. It was an individual at his home.”

He told The Daily News that the man took about 10 Lunesta sleeping pills. “He was unconscious, but breathing on his own,” Hall told the paper.

Thomas’ 20-year-old son Joshua also said it was his sister, not his father, who required treatment.

“He’s fine,” the Indiana University student told the Daily News. “Reports of sleeping pills are false.”

The drama is the latest in what has been a difficult year for Thomas.

He was fired as the Knicks coach on April 18 after a season of dreadful basketball, a tawdry sexual harassment lawsuit and unending chants from fans demanding his dismissal. Still, he was retained by the organization as an adviser and consultant to Donnie Walsh — who had replaced him as president as basketball operations.

Walsh said he had not spoken to Thomas, though others in the organization had.

“Isiah Thomas spoke with members of the New York Knicks organization and is OK,” the Knicks said in a statement. “He is dealing with a family matter, and we will have no further comment. He has asked that we respect his privacy, and we will.”

Messages left with Thomas’ publicist and two of his attorneys weren’t returned.

Hall said an ambulance and two police officers responded to a 911 call that came in from the Thomas home a couple minutes after midnight. The victim was taken to White Plains Hospital Center, about 5 miles from the home.

Officials there would not say whether Thomas was a patient, or identify the overdose patient. And officials with Harrison’s Emergency Medical Service declined to say what happened, citing medical privacy laws.

“There’s a concern, I’m sure everybody I would think is wishing for the best for his family but again … I don’t really know a whole lot,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said.

Late Friday afternoon, a small SUV escorted by a police car pulled into a private road leading to the luxury cul de sac of multimillion-dollar homes in Westchester County where Thomas lives, about 30 miles from midtown Manhattan.

Thomas purchased the house on Azalea Circle in Purchase for more than $4 million in 2004, according to the Journal News.

Thomas brought most of the current Knicks to New York, and some said they have spoken to him since last season ended. Forward Quentin Richardson said he has called Thomas from time to time.

“This is our former coach, still a good friend and somebody I still look up to to this day. I mean, a Hall of Famer and all those different things,” Richardson said at Madison Square Garden before the Knicks’ exhibition game against New Jersey.

“This is life, this is something that happened. It’s an unfortunate situation, and we still don’t know the exact story or whatever happened. But I don’t look at something like this as a distraction; this is an unfortunate incident.”

As a player, Thomas was one of the NBA’s great point guards, winning NBA titles with the Detroit in 1989 and 1990. In college, he led Indiana to a national championship in 1981.

He joined the Knicks as the team president in December 2003 and became coach in June 2006 after Larry Brown was fired.

Last season, the Knicks’ woes earned Thomas the wrath of fans, who serenaded him nightly with chants of “Fire Isiah!” When he was dismissed, his record in New York was 56-108.

Overall, he is 187-223 as an NBA coach, leading the Indiana Pacers to the playoffs in three straight years from 2000-03.

———

Associated Press photographer Craig Ruttle, AP Researcher Barbara Sambriski and AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney contributed to this report.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Parker Duskin throws up a hand after defeating the competition in the 3A boys 300 hurdles at the 2022 WIAA State Track & Field Championships at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Washington State track cuts impact former area athletes

Sprinter/hurdler and Arlington alum Parker Duskin says Monday’s decision is ‘not the Cougar Way.’

Shorewood sophomore Caleb Butler is The Herald’s 2025 Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year: Caleb Butler

State runner-up Shorewood didn’t allow a playoff goal while Butler was on the field.

Jackson High School's Kyle Peacocke hands the 2023 WIAA class 4A softball championship trophy to the team after their win in Richland, Wash., on Sat., May 27. (TJ Mullinax/for The Herald)
Peacocke to return as Jackson softball coach after year away

The four-time state champion feels refreshed and motivated to lead Timberwolves again.

Wesco all-league boys soccer teams announced

Wesco has announced its all-league teams for boys soccer. WESCO 4A First… Continue reading

Trevor Story (10) of the Boston Red Sox safely jumps back to first base against Rowdy Tellez (23) of the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park on June 16, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Boston shuts out Mariners after being rocked by trade

The post-Rafael Devers Era began much like the end of… Continue reading

Thunder seize control of NBA Finals

Jalen Williams stared down another furious second-half rally from… Continue reading

AquaSox pitcher Teddy McGraw delivers a pitch during Everett's 13-1 win against the Tri-City Dust Devils at Funko Field in Everett, Washington on June 15, 2025. The 23-year-old allowed just one walk and struck out four batters over three hitless innings after earning the start in his High-A debut. (Evan Morud / Everett AquaSox)
Teddy McGraw overcomes ‘long road’ in near-perfect AquaSox debut

The 23-year-old tosses 3 hitless innings after recovering from his third major arm injury.

AquaSox infielder Luis Suisbel follows through on a two-run home run during Everett's 13-1 win against Tri-City at Funko Field in Everett, Washington on June 15, 2025. The Valencia, Venezuela native hit two of Everett's five homers on the afternoon. (Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
AquaSox blow past Tri-City to close out homestand on Father’s Day

Luis Suisbel hits two of Everett’s five homers, and Teddy McGraw stars in debut during 13-1 win.

J.P. Crawford of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after the game against the Cleveland Guardians at T-Mobile Park on June 15, 2025, in Seattle. The Mariners won 6-0. (Stephen Brashear / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners complete sweep with 6-0 win

The Guardians entered their weekend series against the Mariners looking… Continue reading

AquaSox shortstop Colt Emerson takes a swing during Everett's 3-2 win against the Tri-City Dust Devils at Funko Field in Everett, Washington on June 14, 2025. (Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
Emerson walks off Tri-City to extend AquaSox win streak

The Mariners’ top prospect hits an RBI-single to seal 3-2 win; Batista has 2 RBI in return.

Everett AquaSox infielder Michael Arroyo receives high-fives in the dugout during Everett's 8-1 win against Tri-City at Funko Field in Everett, Washington on June 13, 2025. The 20-year-old Colombia native had two home runs and a career-high six RBI. (Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
Arroyo’s big night lifts AquaSox to 8-1 win over Tri-City

The 20-year-old smacks 2 homers and a career-high 6 RBI while extending hit streak to 10.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.