Police report says that Artest slapped woman

Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest slapped a woman’s face and grabbed her repeatedly, causing visible injuries, according to a sheriff’s report made public Tuesday.

Artest was arrested Monday after a woman inside his home in a Sacramento suburb called 911 and said she had been assaulted. In a portion of the 911 tape released by authorities, the woman described injuries to her hand and leg.

“Victim sustained visible trauma after being repeatedly grabbed by Artest and pushed to the floor,” the Placer County Sheriff’s Department report said. “Artest then slapped victim’s face [and] by use of force prevented victim from leaving.”

The report also said Artest took a phone from the woman the first time she tried to call 911.

Artest was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and using force or violence to prevent the woman from reporting a crime. He was released from custody after posting a $50,000 bond and is awaiting a March 22 arraignment.

The Kings indefinitely removed Artest from the team while they seek more information about the arrest. Artest, who joined the Kings in January 2006, continues to receive his salary.

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Miami Heat guard Jason Kapono, the NBA leader in three-point percentage who sprained his left ankle late in the third quarter of Miami’s game Monday night against Atlanta, will be sidelined indefinitely.