NBA says no evidence to support allegations made by Elijah Millsap about Dennis Lindsey

Utah Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey answers a question Thursday, June 27, 2013. On Monday, March 15, 2021, the NBA announced it had found no corroborating evidence to support allegations that Lindsey made inappropriate comments to Elijah Millsap. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

League said Monday that it was ‘unable to establish that the alleged statement was made’ following investigation

The NBA announced Monday that there is no corroborating evidence to support allegations made by Elijah Millsap that Jazz vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey made racially insensitive comments during Millsap’s exit interview in 2015.

“The investigation was unable to establish that the alleged statement was made,” read a statement from the NBA. “As part of the investigative process, all participants involved in the 2015 meeting were interviewed and given the opportunity to provide any relevant evidence, including both Millsap and Lindsey. The investigation also involved other parties who might have been in a position to corroborate the allegation, and the review of meeting notes of the exit interview and other pertinent information.”

The league launched the investigation after a series of tweets from Millsap on Feb. 24 alleged that during the end-of-year meeting when Millsap played for the Jazz, Lindsey made inappropriate comments.

“Almost 6yrs ago. On April 16, 2015, D. Lindsey made bigot remarks in my exit interview while conversing with Q. Snyder ‘if u say one more word, I’ll cut your Black ass and send you back to Louisiana,’” Millsap said in a post on Twitter.

Lindsey denied ever having said what Millsap alleged and an investigation was announced the following day.

Jazz coach Quin Snyder, as well as general manager Justin Zanik, were interviewed as a part of the investigation and were both present during the exit interview in question. When the allegations were made, Snyder said that while he didn’t remember that particular conversation, he couldn’t imagine Lindsey ever using that type of language.

“As an organization, we take all matters of this nature seriously and have zero tolerance for discriminatory behavior of any kind,” the Jazz said in a statement Monday. “We appreciate the thorough process of the NBA’s investigation and thank all parties involved for their full cooperation. The league’s investigation was done in coordination with independent, outside counsel. We respect the league’s process and results announced earlier today.”

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