While it may only be the fourth game of the 2019-20 NBA regular season, some of the league’s teams are already in midseason form, as Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns threw punches during Wednesday’s night game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves in Philly.
Obviously, both Towns and Embiid were tossed from the game following the altercation.
Put KAT and Joel Embiid on the UFC 244 undercard pic.twitter.com/5GDwokzXQy
— BroBible (@BroBible) October 31, 2019
After Embiid and Towns got into it, the scrap continued, with Ben Simmons ending up on the floor holding Towns in a chokehold.
AND WE HAVE A KAT TAP OUT VIA BEN SIMMONS CHOKE HOLD IT’S NO HOLDS BARRED HERE IN PHILLY https://t.co/OiFgBCyaex
— Adam Smith (@SmittyBarstool) October 31, 2019
Embiid, always such a showman, made sure to gas up the crowd on his way out, as he had a quick shadowboxing session on the sideline before exiting the court.
Joel Embiid had Philly in a frenzy moments after being ejected. pic.twitter.com/7UJKheYHMs
— ESPN (@espn) October 31, 2019
The 76ers have started this season hot, as they currently sit atop the NBA’s Eastern Conference at 3-0. The Timberwolves have also gotten off to a fast start, as they are currently second in the Western Conference at 3-0.
As for suspensions, the 2018 fight between the Lakers and the Rockets — particularly Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo — resulted in various lengths. Brandon Ingram was suspended for four games, Rondo was suspended for three games, and Chris Paul was suspended for two games.
The Lakers and Rockets threw punches at Staples 😳 pic.twitter.com/YKWRkqHnXF
— ESPN (@espn) October 21, 2018
Both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Minnesota Timberwolves resume their season on Saturday, as the Sixers will take on Damien Lillard and the Portland Trailblazers in Oregon, while the Wolves will host the Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards in Minneapolis. It’s safe to say that neither team will have the services of their various All-Stars the next time they take the court.
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Eric is a New York City-based writer who still isn’t quite sure how he’s allowed to have this much fun for a living and will tell anyone who listens that Gotham City is canonically in New Jersey. Contact him on Twitter @eric_ital or via email eric@brobible.com