Lakers’ Caldwell-Pope misses game because of travel restrictions

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. AP

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope missed the team’s loss Thursday night in Cleveland because of travel restrictions from his drunken driving arrest last season while with the Detroit Pistons.

“This is a legal matter, stemming from an incident that occurred last season while Kentavious was a member of another NBA team,” the Lakers said Saturday in a statement The Los Angeles Lakers are abiding by the terms of a program for Kentavious that were established for him by a court in the state of Michigan. As such, we will have no further comment at this time.”

The Los Angeles Times, citing people familiar with the situation who weren’t authorized to speak publicly, reported that Caldwell-Pope missed the game in Cleveland because he had to return to California to begin an intensive 25-day probation program that includes travel restrictions.

“We are pleased that Kentavious will now continue with his NBA season and move forward in a positive manner from this experience,” the player’s lawyer, Jeffrey Abood, said in a statement to ESPN.

Caldwell-Pope was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving early March 29 in Auburn Hills, Michigan, after police say he was spotted going about 45 mph in a 25 mph zone. He was arrested after a field sobriety test. A further test showed he had a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent.

Caldwell-Pope is averaging 14.2 points in 24 games for the Lakers this season.