The NBA came down hard on Mo Bamba and Austin Rivers (in a way they didn’t with Dillon Brooks).
The Magic’s Bamba was suspended four-game and the Timberwolves’ Rivers got a three-game suspension — both without pay — for their part in a fight between the teams Friday night.
AUSTIN RIVERS AND MO BAMBA GET INTO IT 🤯 pic.twitter.com/kUFYXgPvI5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 4, 2023
In addition, Magic guard Jalen Suggs was suspended one game for “escalating the altercation by aggressively grabbing Rivers around the neck and pulling him to the floor.” The Timberwolves’ Jaden McDaniels was fined $20,000 for running into the scrum and pushing Bamba in the back.
As for why the relatively stiff penalties in this case, the NBA said: “Following the incident, Bamba attempted to continue to engage with Rivers in a hostile manner in the corridor outside the locker rooms where he also aggressively shoved a security representative. Both Bamba and Rivers continued the escalation on social media following the game.”
Suspension amounts for the Orlando/Minnesota tussle:
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 5, 2023
💰Mo Bamba: $284,138
💰Austin Rivers: $60,121
💰Jalen Suggs: $47,740
Friction between Bomba and Rivers started a few plays earlier when Rivers — who was in the game — missed a corner 3 in front of the Magic bench, and there was jawing from Bamba and others. Rivers came over and confronted and the fight started soon after, with Bamba coming off the bench. After an official review, five players were ejected: Rivers, McDaniels and Taurean Prince from the Timberwolves; Bamba and Suggs from the Magic.
Banba and Rivers did continue the fight on social media, which added to their time off.
Mo Bamba's IG story after getting ejected 😳 pic.twitter.com/sTu3Ss0wTK
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 4, 2023
"We only know U from an old rap song...Not hoops. STFU."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 4, 2023
Austin Rivers claps back at Mo Bamba on his IG story 👀 pic.twitter.com/xydyDh28UT
The suspensions will all start on Sunday, Feb. 5.
