Suns’ Royce O’Neale, Pistons’ Ron Holland II draw laughs with epic battle for loose ball
Oct 11, 2024, 8:24 PM

Royce O'Neale of the Suns and Ron Holland II of the Pistons battle for a loose ball during a preseason game. (Suns TV Broadcast Screenshot)
(Suns TV Broadcast Screenshot)
Phoenix Suns veteran Royce O’Neale and Detroit Pistons rookie Ron Holland II epically battled for a loose ball during Friday’s preseason game at Footprint Center.
Neither player was willing to let go after O’Neale hit the deck for the loose ball and Holland grabbed on to force a jump ball.
Royce O’Neale and Ron Holland wouldn’t give up the ball. 😂
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 12, 2024
It took around 30 seconds to separate the two. O’Neale came away with the basketball as his Suns teammates triumphantly threw their fists in the air while cackling. Holland had a bit of a skirmish on Tuesday with Suns guard Damion Lee, as well.
O’Neale lost his headband in the battle, but a win is a win. More importantly, O’Neale won the jump ball.
The Suns brought O’Neale back this offseason on a four-year deal to bolster the bench.
Even in the preseason, competitors will bring the edge, and it may be safe to say the battle for the basketball will be the most memorable Suns moment on the court before the regular season begins on Oct. 23.
Social media reactions to Royce O’Neale-Ron Holland II loose ball battle
Royce O’Neale just won the longest tug of war in NBA history😂 pic.twitter.com/YsWFVZWnXm
— Gabe Guerrero (@GabeGuerrero03) October 12, 2024
Hilarity in the Pistons/Suns preseason game as Royce O’Neale and Ron Holland go to the floor for a loose ball. A jump ball was called, but they continued to wrestle for it for about 30 seconds afterwards. 00 on 00! And the Suns actually won the jump ball.
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) October 12, 2024
Royce O’Neale is a dog.
As soon as he went down with that ball I knew he was not giving it up.
— Zona (@AZSportsZone) October 12, 2024
The Suns trailed 65-50 at halftime, and you can catch the rest of the game on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.