What happened on the court during Friday night’s game between the Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves took a backseat to the game’s major storyline — a brawl. While Thursday’s fight between Dillon Brooks and Donovan Mitchell resulted in just those two getting ejected, this brawl yielded five ejections.
The altercation occurred in the third quarter when Timberwolves veteran Austin Rivers seemed to say something to the Magic bench, particularly toward Magic center Mo Bamba.
It’s unclear exactly what Rivers said to spur the brawl, but whatever it was quickly agitated Bamba. He proceeded to throw a punch at Rivers and then run and grab him. This led to other players getting involved, quickly followed by both coaching staffs jumping in to try and stop the melee.
What just happened?!?
Mo Bamba and Austin Rivers have been ejected after this incident.#RaisedByWolves | #NBA pic.twitter.com/DkPSa9TkOH
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) February 4, 2023
Rivers practically had to be tackled by an assistant coach to keep him away from Magic players. Both Bamba and Rivers were ejected along with Jalen Suggs, Taureen Prince and Jaden McDaniels.
Mo Bamba, Jalen Suggs, Austin Rivers, Jaden McDaniels and Taurean Prince were all ejected after this altercation 😬
📹 @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/qrgwNgtyZG
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 4, 2023
It is extremely rare to see a fight break out between a player in the game and someone else on the bench. Many took notice of this wild brawl and took to social media to offer their reactions.
Your nightly dose of absolute chaos in the NBA pic.twitter.com/ItxQyb4kw1
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) February 4, 2023
CHAOS in Minnesota pic.twitter.com/m725roqIuY
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) February 4, 2023
MORE CHAOS!!!! 🍿
(🎥: @BallySportsNOR)pic.twitter.com/DGgMYdptri
— theScore (@theScore) February 4, 2023
Not sure what Austin Rivers was doing in front of Orlando's bench but Mo Bamba jumped up and started swinging. A melee ensues and five players get ejected. Fines and suspensions coming. https://t.co/CKtgLFdPSm
— Jason Anderson (@JandersonSacBee) February 4, 2023
After being buried on the bench the past month, Mo Bamba got the start tonight because of Wendell Carter Jr.’s late injury scratch. Proceeds to get ejected while not even in the game.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) February 4, 2023
There will likely be suspensions and almost certainly will be fines issued to those involved in this brawl. It will also be interesting to see whether or not whatever Rivers said will be made public by those on the Magic bench after the conclusion of the game.
[Bally Sports North on Twitter] Photo Credit: Bally Sports
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.