Kristaps Porzingis tweets Twitter account was hacked when 'LA Clippers' post was made
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks celebrates his basket in the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images / Elsa
Kristaps Porzingis says his official Twitter account was hacked and that he never tweeted anything about the Los Angeles Clippers.
Porzingis was responding to a tweet from his account Saturday that caused a mini-firestorm. It said, “LA Clippers” and was accompanied by three smiley faces. It was quickly deleted.
“I was hacked last night and a post was made from my account,” Porzingis tweeted Sunday afternoon. “I have alerted Twitter and they are looking into the incident.”
Porzingis already had created a stir for the Knicks and their fans by blowing off his end-of-season exit interview with team president Phil Jackson and other team officials. ESPN.com reported Friday that teams have called the Knicks to inquire about Porzingis’ availability in trades. Jackson said last month that no Knick is untouchable.
Less than 24 hours after the ESPN.com report, the Clippers tweet was posted from Porzingis’ account with the three smiley faces. Porzingis said he doesn’t use that emoji.
“I would never tweet something like that,” he tweeted. “I don’t even use that emoji smile face. Cmon B.”
Porzingis ended that tweet with three crying-laughing emojis. He also accompanied a screenshot of his frequently used emojis, and the one that created the controversy wasn’t among them.
Porzingis is in Latvia training and getting ready for the European championships.
Sources said he skipped his exit meeting because he’s frustrated about the direction of the franchise. The Knicks have gone 63-101 and missed the postseason in both of Porzingis’ seasons. He already has played for three coaches.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
