Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony was ejected in the third quarter of Sunday night’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers after committing a flagrant foul 2 on a driving play. According to NBA rules, when a player is assessed with a flagrant foul 2, he is automatically thrown out of the court.
Anthony’s ejection was not without controversy, however. It was heavily protested by the Thunder as they felt the call seemed a little bit too harsh.
Carmelo Anthony ejected after being called for a Flagrant 2 on this play…. pic.twitter.com/b9eUIrUKs1
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) November 6, 2017
In that particular piece of action, Carmelo Anthony drove hard to the basket along the baseline and was met in the air by Blazers big man Jusuf Nurkic. Nurkic’s challenge forced Anthony to adjust his shot midair and in the process, hit Nurkic’s face with his left elbow. Not that taking a sharp elbow in the mug from a 6-foot-8 man wasn’t painful, but Nurkic appeared to try selling the call more to the officials by taking his sweet time on the floor before getting up.
The game officials’ decision to throw out Anthony spurred plenty of reactions online with many expressing disbelief at the call.
Melo was just ejected for literally going up for a layup, double-clutching a bit, and colliding with Nurkic. I don't see that at all.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) November 6, 2017




Terrible foul call on Nurkic. Even more terrible flagrant-2 on Melo.
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) November 6, 2017
So Russell gets hit and there is NO call but Nurkic gets an inadvertent elbow and Melo is ejected…lmao holy shit fuck the refs
— sixx (@coldgamesixx6) November 6, 2017
The NBA is so SOFT!! Carmelo got thrown out for that?? Mind you call on floor was a foul on Nurkic!! What a joke, seriously, A JOKE.
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) November 6, 2017
Carmelo Anthony left the match with 15 points and six rebounds to his name.
Unfortunately for Anthony, there was no baby to console him on is way out of the court.