Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Pacers center Myles Turner engaged in a skirmish during Thursday’s game in Utah, briefly wrestling with one another after getting tangled up following a Gobert drive (video link).
As Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune details, the incident resulted in ejections for Gobert and Turner, as well as for Joe Ingles and Donovan Mitchell. Ingles was ejected for shoving referee Ed Malloy while trying to break up the fight; Mitchell was said to be “acting as an instigator and escalating the situation.” It’s unclear if any players will face suspensions as a result of the incident, but fines, at least, seem likely.
After the game, Mitchell and Gobert were focused more on the way the game was being officiated than concerns about forthcoming penalties. Gobert said referees are “allowing guys to do way too much s–t” this season and Mitchell agreed.
“It’s really at a point now, especially tonight, where the referees are allowing things to get out of hand,” Mitchell said, per Sarah Todd of The Deseret News. “Both teams, we’re competitors and we’ll play through contact and talk s–t and do whatever. But at some point it’s continuing to build and you can sense that.”
Here’s more out of Utah:
- Hassan Whiteside has been a great fit so far as the Jazz’s second-string center, Todd writes for The Deseret News. According to Todd, the veteran big man – who has been accused in the past of looking to pad his own stats – has embraced the team-first philosophy in Utah. “It’s so cool how close this team is, I haven’t been on a team that’s this close,” Whiteside said. “A lot of people say, ‘Hey we’re close team, hey we do this together.’ Nah. This is really like a close-knit group. It’s great. I love it.”
- Rookie guard Jared Butler can expect to bounce back and forth between the NBA and the G League this season, as Todd outlines in a separate story for The Deseret News. The veteran-heavy Jazz won’t be making it a top priority to develop their young prospects at the NBA level, so Butler, Udoka Azubuike, and Elijah Hughes could all see reps for the Salt Lake City Stars when they’re not part of Utah’s rotation, says general manager Justin Zanik.
- Dwyane Wade‘s position as a part-owner of the Jazz hasn’t diminished his Heat fandom, writes Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel. Wade said he still “loves” his old team and would be rooting for them to win a championship if the Jazz don’t. “Miami, from a personal standpoint, I would love to see them win it all,” he said. “But I also would love to see us win it all. So, for me, it’s a win-win.”
lol, ‘Gobert drive’ mpre like yet another pathetic (7-footer) lay-up attempt followed by a frustration brawl
Why pathetic?
Just another francophobe who dislikes the Stifle Tower.
Dislikes his offensive (dis)ability.
Brakes my heart ten times per game.
Gobert did get fouled hard on that attempt and there was no call? That being said he shouldn’t have grabbed Turner’s jersey and slammed him to the court.
Ingles incidentally bumped a ref while trying to break up the skirmishes and Mitchell just talked. Thought ejections for those 2 was too much. Should’ve stopped at Gobert and Turner.
With all that referees need to start calling obvious fouls like Turner’s before things get a chance to escalate.
He didn’t get fouled he just got his punk ass feelings hurt. Don’t flex on a dunk and then get pissed when Turner makes you eat it on a weak layup attempt.
My point exactly. Yet another weak lay-up attempt since he’s too shy to dunk on pple.
Please do everyone a favour, retire early, go speak your truth on television or do whatever the hell you like mr gobert just so we don’t have to look at ur confidence struggle any more, please pretty please.
“GET THAT WEEK STUFF OUT OF HERE”
Lets focus on what is REALLY IMPORTANT.
Get a relevant team name out in Utah !!
JAZZ IS A JOKE !!
I have to agree even with myself being a fan of the Jazz should swap team names with New Orleans seeing as one the largest populations of pelicans in the world is on the Great Salt Lake.
:D
Fines for everyone and 2-3 games for Ingles. You cannot touch a referee, much less shove him like that.
Ingles needs to start otherwise he’s struggling big time.
Lots of raging “tough guys” in here. Lol