Tensions flared during the game between the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, with Austin Rivers and Lance Stephenson as the main protagonists.
With eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, Rivers shoved Stephenson after he felt he got hit. The Nuggets guard then faked an elbow toward the Pacers veteran, earning him a second technical foul from referee Tony Brothers and an ejection from the contest.
After the game, which the Nuggets won, 125-118, the 29-year-old Rivers made his feelings known via a post on Instagram. He said he acknowledges Stephenson's notoriety as an “irritant” but he called out Brothers for punishing him even though he didn't make contact after the first whistle.
"I'm cool with Lance doing all his extra stuff. He's an irritant. Just don't throw me out for trying to get him off of me. Especially when I didn't even hit him or really try to."
Austin Rivers responded to Tony Brothers ejecting him for the elbow fake to Lance Stephenson on IG. https://t.co/TSEXM3aJSK pic.twitter.com/9L5eSGLhuf
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) March 31, 2022
Rivers has always been a competitive guy and he does have a valid point in his fiery rant. Perhaps Brothers saw a different angle and banished the Nuggets playmaker back to the locker room.
According to a report by ESPN, Nuggets coach Mike Malone will talk to the league about Rivers' ejection.
As for Stephenson, he's definitely not new to on-court shenanigans. But as they say, any group should have the right amount of crazy to succeed—and Born Ready has provided that throughout his career.
Rivers contributed three points and three rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench for the Nuggets, who improved to 46-31. It remains to be seen if he'll be suspended for their next game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on Friday night.
Follow Us
Subscribe