JUDGE DROPS THE HAMMER: OAKLEY'S MSG ASSAULT SUIT IS DOWN FOR THE COUNT

MSG strikes back. On Friday, a federal judge threw a full-court press on Charles Oakley's lingering assault case against Madison Square Garden, dismissing the claim that he was roughed up by security during a 2017 Knicks game. It's the third time a court has bounced this case — and MSG is not letting the ex-Knick walk away without a fight.

No Evidence, Says Judge

Judge Richard J. Sullivan of the Southern District of New York ruled that Oakley "has produced no evidence to support his claim that he was assaulted by MSG security guards." The court cited videos from multiple angles and the unanimous testimony of every witness, showing Oakley had a chance to leave the arena but instead resorted to physical violence.

"Ample evidence — including videos from multiple angles and the unanimous testimony of every witness (even, to some extent, Oakley himself) — shows that Oakley had a reasonable opportunity to depart the Garden, that he instead resorted to physical violence, and that he was never pushed to the ground," Sullivan wrote. Brutal.

MSG Goes on Offense

MSG didn't hold back in celebrating the dismissal. "For more than nine years, Mr. Oakley's lawyers have pursued claims they knew were false," the Garden said in a statement. "Those claims have now been dismissed by the Court in their entirety — for the third time. We are pursuing legal action against Douglas Wigdor, and his unscrupulous law firm, to hold them accountable for years of frivolous litigation and their blatant abuse of the judicial system."

Oakley's Lawyer Isn't Done

But Wigdor isn't throwing in the towel. "We are disappointed with the Court's rulings," he wrote in an email. "We believe there are conflicting accounts and only a jury can decide what exactly happened. We are hopeful that the Second Circuit will agree for a third time and remand the case for an immediate jury trial."

A Knicks Legend, Still Absent From MSG

Oakley remains one of the most beloved Knicks of the 1990s, but he's been conspicuously absent from the Garden during the team's recent playoff runs — including this year's NBA championship. This courtroom saga might not be over, but for now, the scoreboard is clear: MSG 1, Oakley 0.