It was a dramatic end to the Indiana Pacers-Utah Jazz match on Thursday, as Rudy Gobert and Myles Turner went at each other’s throats in the fourth quarter. The altercation resulted in four ejections, including Donovan Mitchell and Joe Ingles.
After Gobert was blocked from behind by Turner, he pulled down the Pacers big man by his shorts as he fell. Turner took an exception to that and shoved the Frenchman after he got no call, which ended in Gobert bear hugging him and attempting a takedown. As expected, referees and security officials quickly stepped in to separate both big men.
In the post-game presser, Gobert took an exception to players acting tough when they know security will undoubtedly break it off. When asked about the incident, he said:
“It’s actually funny because my boxing coach was at the game. It’s the only game he’s come to this year. I didn’t throw a punch because I didn’t feel threatened. If I don’t feel threatened, I’m not going to throw a punch. If someone wants to fight, I’m easy to reach. We can take it off the court and deal with it as men. But, people need to stop acting like they are going to fight on the basketball court when they know security will be there to break it up. It’s cool for the cameras, but people need to stop acting like they are about that life.”
“Guys need to stop acting like they’re gonna fight. … It’s cool for the cameras, but they know we aren’t gonna fight. Guys that are not about that life need to stop acting like they are.”
Rudy Gobert on his altercation with Myles Turner last night https://t.co/5yZY3W5rE6
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 12, 2021
Turner also had words of his own, stating how he had to stand up for himself after what he believed was a dirty play.
“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.”
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
The Pacers eventually won the game 111-100 following a scintillating performance from Malcolm Brogdon. Perhaps things could have been different if the Jazz had Mitchell, Ingles, and Gobert on the court that late in the game.
Rudy has started the new season on a high note, averaging 15 points and grabbing a league-high 15.5 boards. The Jazz will be looking for revenge in their next meeting, which will be in January, and hopefully, they let the scoring do the talking then.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkvvjKpvc9k
