Sports reporter claims Luke Walton sexually assaulted her

Sacramento Kings coach Luke Walton is being sued for allegedly sexually assaulting a sports reporter when she went to his hotel room in 2017 for help with a book she was writing.

The basketball coach is accused of forcing himself upon Los Angeles-based reporter Kelli Tennant in his Santa Monica hotel after asking her to meet him to discuss a book she was working on, according to the lawsuit obtained by TMZ.

Tennant said in the lawsuit that she had a professional relationship with Walton and wanted him to write the forward to her book.

The reporter claims the 39-year-old Walton, who is married, convinced her to join him in her room, where he pinned her to the bed by putting his legs and hips on her body.

She said Walton began forcibly kissing her and she screamed at him to stop while trying to get free.

Tennant claims she was unable to get away at first as Walton went on to grope her and rub his erection on her. She also says, after getting free and trying to leave, Walton grabbed her and pushed his body up against her.

When she finally was able to exit the room, Tennant claims she could hear Walton saying, “Good to see you.”

Walton was recently fired by Lakers after three seasons with a 98-148 record and no playoff appearances. He was hired by the Kings a short time later.

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