NBA Rumors: Gary Neal sits out Bobcats’ win over Wizards because of ‘internal team matter’

Although the Charlotte Bobcats rolled to a 98-85 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, they did so without guard Gary Neal.

Bobcats’ big man Al Jefferson, as he has all season, picked up the slack with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Neal, who was acquired along with point guard Luke Ridnour from the Milwaukee Bucks just before the trade deadline was being punished because of an “internal team matter.”

Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer has the scoop.

"But it was behavioral, rather than medical, and Neal said he made amends.“I made a mistake,” Neal told the Observer post-game. ‘Me and coach talked about it and we’ll move forward from there,”Coach Steve Clifford called this an “internal team matter.” He said it was over after the game and Neal’s minutes won’t be affected when the Bobcats play the Minnesota Timberwolves at home Friday."

Neal went on to say it was “just a mistake” and that it is “behind us now.”