INGLEWOOD, Calif. โ Tensions flared during Game 4 of the playoff series between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets when a skirmish unfolded just before halftime, resulting in a total of six technical fouls. The Nuggets secured a dramatic 101-99 victory over the Clippers, thanks to Aaron Gordonโs sensational buzzer-beater dunk, leveling the series at 2-2.
The altercation began with James Harden dribbling under tight pressure from Denverโs Christian Braun in the final seconds of the first half. The situation escalated when Harden, fouled during play, engaged in a verbal exchange with Braun at midcourt. This was followed by Denverโs Nikola Jokic joining, prompting Harden to make contact with Aaron Gordon as a referee intervened.
Reflecting on the incident, Gordon commented, โKind of getting a little bit chippy with CB. I canโt let nobody step up on the young fellas.โ Ivica Zubac of the Clippers attempted to intervene, but Gordon swiftly maneuvered around him to approach Harden, leading to a scuffle as multiple players got involved.
Following an extensive video review, the referees handed out technical fouls to Harden, Norman Powell, and Kris Dunn from the Clippers, and to Jokic, Gordon, and Braun from the Nuggets. The spectators in attendance expressed their frustrations, particularly focusing their derision on Gordon when he came into possession of the ball, chanting for his ejection.
Despite the chaos, the referees concluded that no punches had been thrown and restricted the punishment to technical fouls alone, a decision that was met with boos from the crowd. Nuggetsโ interim coach, David Adelman, remarked, โA lot of people should have been ejected. There was a lot of people in that scuffle. I saw many starting it and ending it, but there was nothing after the fact that could be deemed dangerous. Everyone seemed cool and ready to play.โ