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The Minnesota Timberwolves are denying Ben Simmons' role in a third-quarter fracas between star center Karl-Anthony Towns and Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid. Referee Mark Ayotte told a pool reporter Wednesday night that Simmons was “deemed a peacemaker” for his involvement in the kerfuffle, which saw Simmons hold Towns to the floor in what the Timberwolves contend was a “dangerous choke hold,” according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski:
https://twitter.com/TheRenderNBA/status/1189703071661731841
Images of Simmons holding down Towns in a chokehold went viral on social media quickly after both centers were ejected, with Simmons still able to play through the rest of a 117-95 blowout of the previously undefeated Timberwolves.
Simmons clearly put some pressure on Towns' neck as he went to the ground, eventually releasing it after the officials were able to separate those involved in the fight:
https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1189711664180027393
Simmons told reporters after the game that he “always got my teammate's back” in respects to Embiid.
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Towns and Embiid are likely to face suspensions after things got very physical on the court, but the latter does not think he should be punished:
“I didn't throw any punches, so I shouldn't get suspended,” Embiid said after the game.
Simmons could also face a potential suspension, considering the Timberwolves' recent statement to the league and his role in holding down Towns more aggressively than a “peacemaker” would.
Towns and Embiid also exchanged barbs on social media, which could only add to their suspensions for unsportsmanlike conduct once the league makes its ruling.
