Ibaka and Chriss banned for brawl

Toronto Raptors’ Serge Ibaka has been banned for three games while Cleveland Cavaliers’ Marquese Chriss is suspended for one following their brawl on Monday night.

Ibaka and Chriss were ejected during the Cavaliers’ victory over the Raptors as tempers flared near the end of the third quarter.

Ibaka’s suspension was based on his instigation of the fighting while Chriss’ was based on throwing a punch.

The pair collided near the Raptors’ basket competing for a full-court pass thrown by Toronto’s Norman Powell.

Ibaka tumbled to the floor and, as he stood up, Chriss appeared to say something to the veteran Raptors big man. Both players then threw punches – none of which appeared to land – as the officials attempted to prise them apart.

Speaking on NBA Gametime, former Cavaliers general manager David Griffin said: “This was not your traditional ‘hold me back, hold me back, NBA fight’. Both of these guys were ready to rumble for real.

“It just doesn’t happen in the NBA. It used to be far more commonplace because there were things within a game that got progressively more physical and you knew when the lid was going to blow.

“With this particular instance, you really don’t know [what sparked it] unless it was something said to [Ibaka] when he was on the ground.”

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