MINNEAPOLIS – A fight and punches ensued during Friday night’s game between the Orlando Magic and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Five players were ejected after the brawl that began late in the third quarter outside Orlando bench. Minnesota guard Austin Rivers and Magic center Mo Bamba were the first players involved, and it spilled over to involve several others on the court.
Rivers, Jaden McDaniels and Taurean Prince were ejected from the Timberwolves. Jalen Suggs was thrown for Orlando along with Bamba.
Replays showed rivers right in front of the Magic bank while play was going on at the other end of the court. Bamba came off the bench and the video showed Rivers throwing punches at Bamba. Suggs later pulled Rivers away and swung him to court. McDaniels and Prince joined the scrum.
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A few minutes earlier, Rivers missed a 3-point attempt in front of the Orlando bench, and Bamba and Markelle Fultz responded to the miss.
The fight came the night after an altercation on the court between Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.
Brooks swung and punched Mitchell in the groin in Thursday’s third quarter after the Grizzlies guard fell to the ground. Mitchell retaliated by throwing the ball at Brooks and then shoving him.
Both players were left out of Cleveland’s 128-113 win. Afterward, Mitchell accused Brooks of being a dirty player.
The NBA announced penalties for both players On Friday, Brooks was suspended for playing without pay and Mitchell was fined $20,000.
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