Massive Fight Breaks Out Between Dominican Republic And Argentina After Overtime Battle

An overtime classic turned ugly as punches flew after the final buzzer, leaving FIBA weighing disciplinary action against both teams.

3 Min Read

Credit: Eurohoops/ X

What should have been remembered as one of the most thrilling games of the 2025 AmeriCup instead ended in chaos. On Sunday night in Managua, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic edged Argentina 84–83 in overtime, but the final buzzer sparked a brawl that left players bloodied, reputations tarnished, and FIBA preparing disciplinary action.

https://twitter.com/NBA_NewYork/status/1959853455293743582

The matchup was intense from start to finish. Both teams traded punches in regulation before pushing the contest to overtime, where the Dominican Republic escaped with a one-point win. But emotions carried past the final whistle.

As players lined up to shake hands, shoving broke out near midcourt. Within seconds, fists were flying. Dominican forward David Jones-Garcia, who had been one of the game’s standout performers, was seen charging across the baseline and throwing a punch at an Argentine player. 

On the other side, Argentine big man Gonzalo Bressan left the floor with blood visible on his face, while teammates tried frantically to restore order. The melee lasted less than a minute but left a lasting mark.

Footage circulating online showed multiple angles of the skirmish, including one video where an Argentine player appeared to initiate contact with Jones-Garcia before tempers fully erupted. Still, the Spurs’ two-way guard could face a suspension for escalating the altercation with his retaliatory punch.

This isn’t the first time tensions between these two basketball nations have boiled over. In 2023, during World Cup qualifying, the Dominican Republic stunned Argentina in Buenos Aires, erasing a 17-point deficit and eliminating the Albiceleste from contention. That loss remains one of Argentina’s most painful in recent memory, and the rivalry has only grown sharper since.

Sunday’s battle carried echoes of that history. Argentina, coached by Pablo Prigioni, had fought valiantly despite injuries and roster turnover. But once again, the Dominican Republic came out on top, fueling frustrations that seemed to spill directly into the postgame melee.

FIBA is expected to release a statement soon, with sanctions likely for players on both sides. The organization has been clear in the past about cracking down on unsportsmanlike conduct, especially in international tournaments where emotions run high.

Meanwhile, Argentina must quickly regroup for its next Group C matchup against Colombia. The Dominican Republic, buoyed by back-to-back wins, will move forward with confidence, though the looming threat of suspensions could alter its momentum.

For both teams, the challenge now is to turn the page and refocus on basketball—because at the AmeriCup, the stakes are only getting higher.

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

Share This Article
Follow:
Vishwesha Kumar is a staff writer for Fadeaway World from Bengaluru, India. Graduating with a Bachelor of Technology from PES University in 2020, Vishwesha leverages his analytical skills to enhance his sports journalism, particularly in basketball. His experience includes writing over 3000 articles across respected publications such as Essentially Sports and Sportskeeda, which have established him as a prolific figure in the sports writing community.Vishwesha’s love for basketball was ignited by watching LeBron James, inspiring him to delve deeply into the nuances of the game. This personal passion translates into his writing, allowing him to connect with readers through relatable narratives and insightful analyses. He holds a unique and controversial opinion that Russell Westbrook is often underrated rather than overrated. Despite Westbrook's flaws, Vishwesha believes that his triple-double achievements and relentless athleticism are often downplayed, making him one of the most unique and electrifying players in NBA history, even if his style of play can sometimes be polarizing. 
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *