Clipper Branden Dawson says he does not expect charges in spousal abuse case

Clippers rookie forward Branden Dawson said Sunday he was confident charges would not be filed in his felony spousal abuse case after his attorney spoke with NBA investigators about the situation.

Dawson was arrested last month at a residence in Playa Vista and faces an initial court date Thursday. He said his attorney had advised him not to comment on the specifics of the incident but acknowledged fear about his career being in limbo during the three weeks he was away from the Clippers.

“I was baffled by the whole thing,” Dawson said. “My career and everything can be taken away so fast. That was the one thing I was nervous about, but I never had a doubt in my mind. I knew what happened that night, so I knew the truth was going to come to light.”

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Coach Doc Rivers allowed Dawson to rejoin the Clippers on Saturday, saying he was comfortable with his understanding of what had happened based on the accounts of police and others involved in the situation.

“I’m not that kind of guy,” Dawson said. “I’m not a criminal. That’s not me.”

Dawson was inactive for the Clippers’ 114-109 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday at Staples Center and has appeared in only three games this season.