The NBA in-season tournament on Tuesday night featured not only competitive matchups but also a physical altercation, this time involving the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies. The incident occurred in the first quarter between Lakers’ Anthony Davis and Grizzlies’ Santi Aldama, resulting in technical fouls for both players.
The scuffle began when Davis, after scoring a contested layup to give the Lakers an 18-16 lead with five minutes left in the opening frame, was involved in an altercation with Aldama. As Davis attempted to head back on defense, Aldama wrapped him up, claiming that Davis was impeding his ability to inbound the ball. In response, Davis shoved Aldama to the ground, leading to a confrontation between the two players.
Memphis guard Desmond Bane intervened and confronted Davis, resulting in a chest-to-chest standoff. The incident escalated, prompting a bench-clearing meeting as players from both teams got involved in the conflict. The situation required referees and teammates to intervene and separate the players. Technical fouls were issued to Davis and Aldama, with Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins also receiving a technical foul.
Despite the heated exchange, the Lakers went on to secure a 134-107 victory, improving to 2-0 in the West Group B standings in the NBA in-season tournament. On the other hand, the Grizzlies fell to 0-3 in the tournament.
The game also highlighted ongoing tensions between Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins and the officiating crew. Jenkins had criticized the officiating in a previous game, leading to a $25,000 fine from the NBA. In the recent altercation, Jenkins expressed his frustration with the officials, emphasizing his commitment to defending and supporting his players.
Jenkins, who openly acknowledged the impending fine, prioritized standing up for his players over concerns about league sanctions. After a loss to the Utah Jazz on Friday, Jenkins emphasized the challenges of engaging in conversations with officials to defend his players, despite the expected consequences.
The intensity and physicality witnessed in the Lakers-Grizzlies game exemplify the competitive nature of the NBA in-season tournament, where teams are vying for success and building momentum. As the tournament progresses, such incidents underscore the passion and emotions that players and coaches bring to the court in their pursuit of victory.