NBA investigation clears Kings coach Luke Walton of sexual assault allegations

The Sacramento Kings announced Friday that Luke Walton has been cleared after a four-month NBA investigation into sexual assault allegations against the coach was closed. 

Walton was sued in April by former Los Angeles-based sports reporter Kelli Tennant, who contends that Walton forced himself on her in a hotel room in 2014 when Walton was an assistant for the Golden State Warriors. Walton, 39, denied the allegation.

In a statement Friday, the Kings said an investigative firm — hired by the team and the NBA — interviewed 20 individuals, including Walton, and noted that Walton was cleared because the investigation lacked "a sufficient basis to support the allegations." 

Tennant was contacted by the team but declined to be interviewed, and her story was not corroborated, the statement read. Tennant had claimed Walton assaulted her in a Santa Monica hotel, pinned her down on a bed and tried to have sex with her.

The Kings' statement read, in part: “The investigators made repeated attempts to interview Ms. Tennant, but, through her counsel, she declined the opportunity to participate."

The Kings said the investigation will remain closed unless new evidence is presented.