The NBA world hasn't moved on from the dust-up between Nikola Jokic and Markieff Morris, but everyone was already greeted with a familiar sight during the Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz's matchup.
Myles Turner and Rudy Gobert were at the center of it all as the latter tugged on the former's shorts after his shot got blocked by the Pacers big man, leading to their confrontation. The tension escalated which resulted in both seven-footers, as well as Donovan Mitchell, being ejected.
After the game, in which the Pacers won by 11 points, Turner aired his side of the story, calling out Gobert for his unnecessary move.
Via Pacers reporter Scott Agnes.
“I thought it was a dirty play. … When (Gobert) pulled my shorts, I wasn't about to have that so I had to stand up for myself in that situation.”
Turner was a pest when he was on the court, altering several shots and blocking three as the Pacers flexed their frontcourt might on the home team. Two of those blocks even came at the expense of Gobert.
Interestingly, these two behemoths were in the thick of the Defensive Player of the Year race last season which Gobert took home. The University of Texas product led the league in blocks per game in the 2020-21 season, followed by the Frenchman. This year, Turner is on top of the same leaderboard once more.
Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon expressed confidence in his teammate, saying Turner is the best defender in the league. These two teams will get to face each other again in early January inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.