Ruckus between Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves leaves five on the sidelines
Tensions boiled over late in the third quarter, as Austin Rivers clashed with Mo Bamba on Orlando's bench. Both players traded blows as they squabbled, with Rivers being sent tumbling to the floor by Jalen Suggs while several other players surged forward as the referee attempted to intervene.
Rivers, McDaniels, Prince of the Timberwolves, and Bamba and Suggs of the Magic were all sent packing as a result.
Rivers shared his thoughts on the post-game scuffle, citing his displeasure with Bamba's choice of words following a missed three-pointer.
"I just didn't appreciate how he talked to me," Rivers said, before adding that he wouldn't tolerate such disrespect.
"I don't know the guy at all," Rivers continued. "I didn't know anything about him. Obviously, I only knew that he was a Magic player. He kept talking, so at the next timeout, I just said, 'Be respectful, man.' I won't allow anyone to disrespect me."
Markelle Fultz, Orlando's benchwarmer who sat alongside Bamba, backed up her teammate's account, stating that nothing disrespectful or outlandish was said.
"People are just talking nonsense when someone takes a shot from the sidelines," Fultz said to ESPN. "They do the same thing on their side. I don't know why it's always Rivers."
The Magic held a commanding lead to start the game, leading 83-73, and extended their advantage to an apparent insurmountable 20-point margin at the outset of the fourth quarter.
Despite pulling within six points, Minnesota's comeback efforts fell short, with Cole Anthony and other Orlando reserves closing out the game for a 72-point, eight-rebound, and six-assist performance, while D'Angelo Russell poured in a game-high 29 for the Timberwolves.
Additional Insights:
During the incident, Eleonora Paolantoni, an Italian journalist covering the game, reported that the altercation had stemmed from a misunderstanding over a ping-pong table.[2]
Rivers has been involved in several altercations throughout his NBA career, including a verbal spat with Chris Paul during the 2016 NBA Playoffs and a physical altercation with then-Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade in 2012.[3]
In another notable incident, Orlando Magic guard Michael Carter-Williams was ejected from a 2018 game against the Detroit Pistons after throwing an elbow at Reggie Bullock.[4]
