Washington ? The investigation of Gilbert Arenas and the guns he brought to the Verizon Center took a much more serious turn Friday amid a report that the Washington Wizards point guard and teammate Javaris Crittenton allegedly drew on each other during a locker-room argument over a gambling debt.

Arenas responded with a flurry of messages on Twitter, at times making light of the news but also making one tweet that read somewhat like a denial: “I understand this is serious..but if u ever met me you know i dont do serious things im a goof ball this story today dont sound goofy to me.”

Arenas later tweeted he couldn’t talk about the report the way he wanted to. He did not respond to a text message left by The Associated Press. A message left for Crittenton’s agent also was not returned.

The NBA and the Wizards would only confirm that an investigation is taking place — and it’s being led by law enforcement, not the league.

“There is an active investigation by D.C. law enforcement authorities, which we are monitoring closely,” NBA spokesman Tim Frank said in a statement. “We are not taking any independent action at this time.”

D.C. police said they are assisting the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the matter. The Wizards said they are cooperating and they “take this situation and the ongoing investigation very seriously.”

Yahoo! Sports and the New York Post, both citing unidentified sources, reported the investigation now involves Crittenton. The Post reported Crittenton became angry at Arenas for refusing to make good on a gambling debt. That prompted Arenas to draw on Crittenton, who then reached for a gun, league security sources told the Post.

The nation’s capital has some of the most strict gun laws in the nation. The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement allows for players to legally possess firearms, but prohibits them at league facilities or when traveling on league business.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Leach denies wrongdoing

Lubbock, Texas — Fired Texas Tech coach Mike Leach says he did not mistreat a player after a concussion. Leach spoke to The New York Times and ESPN about his firing. He was dismissed Wednesday, two days after his suspension.

The school was investigating his treatment of Adam James. The sophomore receiver said Leach twice confined him to a small, dark place after his concussion diagnosis. Leach told the Times on Thursday night and ESPN on Friday that James was lazy and acted as if entitled to special treatment.

James’ father is ESPN analyst Craig James. Leach contends Craig James tried to leverage his position as a way to get more playing time for his son.

Leach told the Times he ordered that James be taken “out of the light” and did not know specifically where he went. He also said “He was never locked anywhere. At no point was he locked anywhere.”

OSU cornerback benched

Dallas — Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy says cornerback Perrish Cox will not play in the Cotton Bowl today against Mississippi. The coach says Cox violated team rules. The announcement came from the school Friday. Cox is one of the team’s top defensive players and a second-team All-American.

HOCKEY

Bruins win at Fenway

Boston — The Boston Bruins made the Winter Classic live up to its hype with a thrilling comeback at Fenway Park, beating the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1, on Marco Sturm’s overtime goal. A sellout crowd of 38,112 watched in near-ideal conditions in the league’s third annual New Year’s Day game.

Canada stops U.S. women

Ottawa — Jayna Hefford scored the lone shootout goal to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the United States on Friday night in the teams’ final exhibition meeting before the Vancouver Olympics.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Vols facing gun charges

Knoxville, Tenn. — Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl indefinitely suspended four Tennessee basketball players, including starting senior forward Tyler Smith, who were charged with gun possession and other counts after a Friday traffic stop.

The Knoxville Police Department said Smith, 23, junior point guard Melvin Goins, 22, junior center Brian Williams, 22, and sophomore guard Cameron Tatum, 21, were arrested during a traffic stop for speeding near Tennessee’s campus.

According to a police report, officers smelled marijuana coming from the car and found a handgun with an altered serial number, a bag of marijuana and an open container of alcohol. Tatum was driving.

Tatum was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and having an open container of alcohol. Smith was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, which police first said was a felony but later Friday reported as a misdemeanor. Goins and Williams both face gun and drug possession charges.

Kansas will play at Tennessee on Jan. 10.

NFL

Broncos bench Marshall

Englewood, Colo. — Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels says he is benching Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall for the team’s critical season finale against Kansas City.

McDaniels wouldn’t directly address the reasons for his decision, although he mentioned accountability and said several other players will play Sunday with injuries worse than Marshall’s. Marshall tweaked his right hamstring at practice Wednesday.

The Who draws protest

Pompano Beach, Fla. — A South Florida child abuse prevention group wants the NFL to reconsider booking The Who for the Super Bowl halftime show. Child AbuseWatch.net objects to Pete Townshend performing because of his 2003 arrest by British police on suspicion of possessing child pornography. He was eventually cleared but placed on a sex offenders registry for five years as part of a formal police caution for accessing a Web site containing images of child abuse.