New Jersey Nets guard Micheal Ray Richardson,...

New Jersey Nets guard Micheal Ray Richardson, who was arrested for assault after allegedly trying to break into his Mahwah, N.J., home did not know that his wife had obtained an order banning him from the property, police said.

Richardson, whose career has been plagued by a battle against drug dependency, was released on his own recognizance after his arrest Thursday, Mahwah Police Chief Sam Alderisio said.

“Mr. Richardson was away playing basketball and apparently was not aware of the restraining order she (his wife, Leah) had signed last week,” Alderisio said.

Richardson, 30, was charged with assault under the Domestic Violence Act, and the matter will probably be handled by Bergen County Family Court, the chief said.

The alleged assault was verbal, “probably from an argument after he realized she locked him out,” Alderisio said.

Mrs. Richardson had obtained the court order two days after an apparent domestic dispute, Alderisio said.