Rivers, Bamba and Suggs served bans for brawling in Magic-Timberwolves game
Five players were ejected following a mass free-for-all in the third quarter of the Orlando Magic’s victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The NBA has issued bans to three players - Austin Rivers, Mo Bamba and Jalen Suggs for their roles in an on-court brawl during the Orlando Magic’s 127-120 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
Rivers and Bamba became involved in an altercation late in the third quarter, with both men throwing punches before Magic guard Suggs pulled Rivers to the ground. All three players were ejected in the aftermath of the incident, with Timberwolves pair Jaden McDaniels and Taurean Prince joining them after they piled into the scuffle.
Bamba hit with four-game ban
Bamba will face the most severe punishment after the league said he continued to “engage with Rivers in a hostile manner” outside the locker rooms following the brawl. The Orlando center will serve a four-game suspension without pay, while Rivers has been given a similar three-game ban.
Bamba’s team-mate Suggs will miss one game for escalating the confrontation by grabbing Rivers around the neck, the league said, with that ban to be served when the Magic face the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. McDaniels, meanwhile, has been fined $20,000 for his actions, which included running into the melee to push Bamba from behind.