Suns scuffle involving Russell Westbrook, Derrick Jones Jr. ignites home crowd
Mar 3, 2017, 8:55 PM | Updated: Mar 4, 2017, 4:27 pm
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook fouls Phoenix Suns forward Derrick Jones Jr. (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 3, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
The Phoenix Suns have been no strangers to a scuffle lately.
Their two latest matchups with the Memphis Grizzlies have had a combined three ejections and a collision with Milwaukee Bucks’ All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Suns’ forward Marquese Chriss also required players to be separated.
That made it no surprise when there was yet another tussle Friday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Earlier in the game, rookie forward Derrick Jones Jr. took an elbow to the face from Thunder All-Star guard Russell Westbrook.
From this point on in the game, Jones Jr. took it upon himself to pick up Westbrook with full-court pressure, hugging him on the inbounds.
Westbrook did not appreciate the act the first time the rookie did it.
I am totally here for a Westbrook vs. Derrick Jones Jr. cage match pic.twitter.com/QmCYsMwOez
— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) March 4, 2017
The two had to be separated, and after a lengthy timeout ruling of double technicals, a Thunder miss turned into a transition lob to Chriss, causing one of the loudest reactions from Talking Stick Resort Arena this season.
😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 😱 #McCoyROH🎙 pic.twitter.com/YaIfWghLJj
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 4, 2017
Two plays later with Jones still picking up Westbrook the full length of the court, a double-screen at halfcourt waiting for Jones was ruled an offensive foul on Jerami Grant, who the refs felt put emphasis behind his screen.
At the timeout following that offensive foul, another technical foul was given out, this time to Thunder head coach Billy Donovan.
On the next play, Leandro Barbosa missed a shot only for Jones to put a cap on his shift in the first half.
Watch yo’ head…. pic.twitter.com/tjpEYCzsSI
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 4, 2017
