With roughly six minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Pacers up 95-85, Warriors center Andris Biedrins fouled Indiana forward David West on a shot in the post. As the shot went up, Warriors power forward David Lee initiated contact with a shove on Pacers center Roy Hibbert. He retaliated with a push of his own, and the two got in each other’s faces, with Lee getting in another forceful chest bump.
That’s when things got really messy. Warriors guard Stephen Curry ran over to stick up for his teammate and presumably separate the two. Hibbert didn’t take kindly to being grabbed, though, and cast Curry off with an elbow, sending him to the floor. Curry jumped up and ran at Hibbert again, only to be shoved away immediately. (He was the smallest player on the court, after all.) A host of players and coaches ran to the scene, including West, Warriors guard Jarrett Jack, and Warriors assistant Michael Malone. Oh, and the scrum went slightly into the first couple rows of seats, although no fans were involved in the fight.
In the aftermath of the fight, referees ejected Hibbert with two technical fouls and issued technicals to Lee, Curry, Warriors guard Klay Thompson, and West. With three technicals to each side, the fouls offset and no extra free throws were taken.
Initially, it looked as if more players could have been ejected simply because the fight extended into the stands. In the years since the infamous Malice in the Palace brawl in Detroit, the NBA has become especially concerned with any disagreement that could potentially involve fans.
(source-Eric Freeman/Ball Don’t Lie/yahoosports.com)
