Indiana center Roy Hibbert was ejected and four other players received technical fouls Tuesday night after a skirmish between the Pacers and Golden State Warriors spilled into the seats behind the baseline.
The Warriors’ David Lee, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson also were called for technicals, along with Indiana forward David West, after the brief scuffle during the fourth quarter of the Pacers’ 108-97 win.
It began when Lee and Hibbert exchanged shoves under the basket after a missed shot with 6:10 remaining. Curry tried to push Hibbert away and was shoved to the court.
No players left the bench. Hibbert said he believes he will face a suspension.
“Seriously, I didn’t even feel him,” Hibbert said of Curry. “I saw some light-skinned guy. I don’t know if it was Klay Thompson or Steph Curry, I just knew there was a light-skinned guy by me.”
Curry scored a season-high 38 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Warriors saw their three-game winning streak end. The Pacers built a 95-85 lead midway through the fourth quarter, and not even the scuffle shook them up as they ended a three-game skid against Western Conference teams.
“There were two or three guys coming after [Hibbert],” said West, who led the Pacers with 28 points. “We preach and talk about togetherness, so that’s part of what we’re going to do. We’re going to defend one another. They came after him too many times.”
When play resumed, Ian Mahinmi made a free throw, West added three baskets, Lance Stephenson hit a 3-pointer and Paul George scored on a jumper to give the Pacers a 104-87 lead with 3:28 left to play.
“It was just physical play,” Curry said. “Teams are gearing up for playoff basketball and amping up the intensity a little bit.”
25% Bonus via Western Union
