DENVER (AP) - Minnesota's Michael Olowokandi and Denver's Nene were ejected for fighting Friday night after getting tangled under the basket and throwing a series of wild punches late in the third quarter.
Olowokandi bumped Nene twice as they fought for a rebound at Minnesota's end with 7.1 seconds left in the quarter, then Nene pushed him away. Olowokandi followed by pushing Nene in the face, and the Nuggets' forward charged in throwing punches, landing one to the side of Olowokandi's head.
The players flailed at each other for several seconds in front of the scorer's table before being separated and escorted from the floor.
Unlike the fight between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers that spilled into the stands two months ago, officials and security were able to limit the fracas to the floor. Olowokandi was booed as he headed down the tunnel to Minnesota's locker room, but police officers lined the stands to make sure no one threw anything at him.
The players also tangled in the second quarter, with Nene receiving a technical foul and Olowokandi getting a personal foul for holding Nene.
Associated Press
Olowokandi bumped Nene twice as they fought for a rebound at Minnesota's end with 7.1 seconds left in the quarter, then Nene pushed him away. Olowokandi followed by pushing Nene in the face, and the Nuggets' forward charged in throwing punches, landing one to the side of Olowokandi's head.
The players flailed at each other for several seconds in front of the scorer's table before being separated and escorted from the floor.
Unlike the fight between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers that spilled into the stands two months ago, officials and security were able to limit the fracas to the floor. Olowokandi was booed as he headed down the tunnel to Minnesota's locker room, but police officers lined the stands to make sure no one threw anything at him.
The players also tangled in the second quarter, with Nene receiving a technical foul and Olowokandi getting a personal foul for holding Nene.
Associated Press
