Sonics’ Ellis Accused of Domestic Assault

Seattle SuperSonics guard Dale Ellis has been arrested by Bellevue police on a charge of simple assault related to domestic violence, a Sonics spokesman said.

“The Ellises know they will have to work out their problem, and the team is considering it a personal matter,” said Sonics spokesman Jim Rupp.

Ellis was booked Sunday into the King County Jail on the domestic violence charge and two others, resisting arrest and having an outstanding warrant for his arrest for driving without a valid driver’s license, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported today.

The three charges are all misdemeanors.

Ellis was released at 1 p.m. Sunday after Sonics President Bob Whitsitt posted $1,800 bail, the newspaper reported in today’s edition.

Ellis, 28, is almost certain to become an All-Star for the first time in his six-year career. He is the fifth-leading vote-getter among Western Conference forwards for the Feb. 12 game in the Houston Astrodome.

He scored a career-high 49 points Thursday to lead the Sonics to a 120-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Whitsitt said Ellis would play in tonight’s game against Cleveland.

Ellis could not be reached for comment Sunday night.

The 6-foot-7 guard is the highest paid Sonic, with a six-year contract for $1.3 million per season.

His wife, Monique, was involved in a shoving match with center Alton Lister’s wife following a Sonic victory over the Los Angeles Lakers last year.