It is rare that we see physical altercations in NBA games, but sometimes tempers flare and emotions get the best of players. That has happened a few times this year, most recently during the Indiana Pacers game against the Utah Jazz.
A widely circulated video showed centers Myles Turner and Rudy Gobert get into a physical altercation mid-game after Gobert grabbed Turner following an insane block. The two were eventually separated by teammates.
YO WHAT JUST HAPPENED 😧
(via @BallySportsIN)
— Overtime (@overtime) November 12, 2021
Rudy Gobert has already offered his opinion on the incident, saying that he was “easy to reach” if Turner wanted a fight. When speaking to Indiana Pacers media, Myles Turner offered his side of the story. Scott Agness reported that Turner thought it was a “dirty play” and that he “had to stand up” for himself.
Myles Turner was confident postgame and shared his viewpoint. "I thought it was a dirty play. … When (Gobert) pulled my shorts, I wasn't about to have that so I had to stand up for myself in that situation."
Story coming on Turner & the Pacers’ big night in Utah.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) November 12, 2021
I thought it was a dirty play. … When (Gobert) pulled my shorts, I wasn’t about to have that so I had to stand up for myself in that situation.
An article published by Agness right after the win featured some more words from Myles Turner, who “couldn’t believe” that Gobert wasn’t called for a foul, and Turner stated that he didn’t think that he did “anything wrong”.
I just couldn’t believe there wasn’t a foul called. I thought that was an easy call. I think it had been building up all game. Gobert had a dunk and he started talking shit, and I think it kind of build up from there. But then when he pulled my shorts, I wasn’t about to have that so I had to stand up for myself in that situation. I don’t think I did anything wrong. But that’s not up for me to decide.”
There is no doubt that Rudy Gobert pulling on Myles Turner’s shorts after the block was unnecessary. While Rudy Gobert isn’t a dirty player whatsoever, that play wasn’t a basketball play.
Myles Turner finished with 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks in the contest against the Jazz. Hopefully, we see Turner put this incident behind him, and continue to deliver for the Pacers.
