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Court documents: Trevor Ariza denies he abused his son after judge issues restraining order

Trevor Ariza is accused of punching and putting his 12-year-old son in a choke hold. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Trevor Ariza is accused of punching and putting his 12-year-old son in a choke hold. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Portland Trail Blazers forward Trevor Ariza denied abusing his 12-year-old son after the boy’s mother accused him of punching him and putting him in a choke hold.

The allegations and Ariza’s denial were made in court documents obtained by the Associated Press on Wednesday. A Los Angeles judge issued a restraining order separating Ariza from his son because of the allegations made by Ariza’s ex-girlfriend Lana Allen.

Ariza, ex-girlfriend engaged in custody battle

Ariza accused Allen of making up the claims as part of a campaign to harm his relationship with his son and to remove his visitation rights, according to the documents.

Allen accuses Ariza of punching his son in his arm and shoulder and putting him in a choke hold on July 25 during a month-long visit at Ariza’s Los Angeles-area home. He is accused of engaging in similar physical abuse on prior visits that prompted a court order against him using corporal punishment, according to documents.

Police investigated Allen’s claims and visited Ariza’s home after she made the complaint. Their investigation was inconclusive, according to the court documents.

The complaint includes a declaration from Ariza’s son stating that he is afraid of his father and doesn’t want to see him along with a photo of his bruised shoulder. Ariza accuses Allen of manipulating him to make the claim.

Allen moved with the boy in 2018 to North Carolina, a move that Ariza claims violates their custody agreement. Ariza is married and has two younger children with his wife.

Ariza opted out of playing with Portland in the NBA bubble in order to be with his son during that time. The 15-year NBA veteran had arranged to have the visitation time that was originally scheduled during the NBA offseason prior to the COVID-19 delay.

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