Former NBA MVP Allen Iverson has paid off $40,000 he owed in back child support to his ex-wife, narrowly escaping a court order that would have landed him behind bars for non-compliance.

An Atlanta judge ordered Iverson to cough up the money within 72 hours late last month or face contempt charges after Tawanna Iverson told the court her ex had not made a payment since being mandated to do so five months earlier.

According to TMZ, court papers indicate Iverson argued he never paid the money because he thought he and his ex might be reconciling. On Monday, the website reported attorneys for Iverson stated “Allen has complied with the order and met every term for which he was required.”

It’s been a tumultuous last few weeks for Iverson, who only days before his initial court appearance was accused by his ex of having abducted their five children. Stressing that she always knew their whereabouts, Iverson denied the claims and turned the kids back over to her several days later.

The couple was divorced last February and during the proceedings the judge chastised Iverson, who admitted to drinking in front of his children, as a horrible parent. Ultimately, the judge granted Tawanna Iverson legal and physical custody of the kids, while granting Iverson visitation rights.