Blazers’ Patterson placed on inactive list

Patterson was penalized by the team after unleashing a verbal tirade at head coach Nate McMillan during Sunday’s 103-92 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Patterson apparently directed his comments at McMillan during a team huddle between the third and fourth quarters for a lack of playing time.

"Ruben Patterson has been placed on the inactive list and sent home to Portland for the rest of this road trip for his behavior both on and off the court," Blazers general manager John Nash said in a statement.

Patterson, who is averaging 7.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in eight games this season, will miss the last six contests of a seven-game road trip.

"We will not tolerate this type of behavior from any player," Nash added. "We will continue to demand a higher level of professionalism and personal responsibility from all of our players or we will continue to take appropriate action."

Patterson has averaged just over 19 minutes per game this season. Last year, he averaged 28 minutes per contest, even though he started in only 36 of the 70 games he played in.