Lou Williams addresses strip club visit: I could have made 'better-quality' decision

Orlando, August 5: Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams conceded he could have made "a better-quality decision" after being forced to miss NBA games because he visited a strip club in Atlanta.

Williams, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, had been allowed to leave the NBA's 'bubble' in Orlando last month to return to Georgia to attend the wake of a friend's father.

Under NBA rules, Williams was then due to observe a four-day quarantine period upon his return to Florida, yet that was extended to 10 days - a period encompassing the Clippers' first two games - after it emerged he also took a trip to the gentlemen's club, Magic City, in Atlanta.

The 33-year-old is a frequent visitor to Magic City - a place also renowned for its chicken wings - describing it as his "favourite restaurant" in Atlanta, though he admitted his latest visit was an ill-judged one.

"In hindsight, I think as far as the public safety issue goes, I probably could have made a better-quality decision," he told reporters after the Clippers' 117-115 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

"I was a little naive in that aspect. I went somewhere after a viewing of somebody I considered a mentor, somebody I looked up to, first black man I seen with legal money in my life.

Ask any of my teammates what’s my favorite restaurant in Atlanta is. Ain’t nobody partying. Chill out lol #Maskon #inandout

— Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) July 24, 2020

"It's been documented how much I talk about [Magic City], how much I eat there.

"I just did something that was routine for me. I frequent that place at that time of day, 5:30, 6 in the afternoon.

"At the time, I thought I was making a responsible decision. After looking back on it, with everything going on in the world, the pandemic, maybe it wasn't the best-quality decision. I chalk it up as that, take my L and keep moving."

Williams, who had seven points, six assists and six rebounds against the Suns, was one of three Clippers players granted a leave of absence by the NBA for personal reasons.

Patrick Beverley did not miss any games after observing a four-day quarantine period but Montrezl Harrell is yet to return as he mourns his grandmother's death.

"It's extremely difficult, man," Williams added.

"I truly was grieving two weeks ago. I was really going through something. I was thrown under the bus, you know what I'm saying?

"All the attention turned to Magic City because it's a gentlemen's club. I feel like if I was at a steakhouse or Hooters or whatever, it wouldn't be half the story."