Two players from the Washington Wizards have been disciplined for their roles in Saturday's altercation against the Oklahoma City Thunder
The NBA has announced punishments for players from both teams involved in Saturday night's scuffle between the Washington Wizards and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Both Wizards forward Justin Champagnie and Ajay Mitchell have been suspended one game without pay, the league announced on Sunday afternoon. Jaylin Williams of the Thunder has also been fined $50,000, while Thunder guard Cason Wallace and Wizards forward Anthony Gill were both fined $35,000.
The incident materialized within the final minute of the first half of Saturday's loss when Champagnie appeared to get into it with Williams before Mitchell escalated the situation with punches appeared to be thrown. The officials announced that Champagnie joined Williams, Mitchell and Wallace as players ejected for the second half. Champagnie and Williams both received two technical fouls while Mitchell and Wallace drew one in the ejection.
The league also announced that Champagnie will serve his suspension on Sunday when the Wizards begin their road trip with the third and final matchup of the season against the New York Knicks. Mitchell, meanwhile, will be unavailable for Monday's game when Oklahoma City faces the Philadelphia 76ers on the road.
The issue with the fight was that it also spilled into the fan seating with the baseline cameraman also involved.
"I disagreed with their judgment after talking to them and watching it at halftime," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said after the game. "But I've worked with [crew chief] John Goble a long time, and he worked through it with me and we had to agree to disagree and we both moved on."
"I did not see a lot. I just know that our guys stood up for each other which I always love," head coach Brian Keefe said postgame.
Now, Washington will look to rebound in a shorthanded lineup once again.
Champagnie becomes the latest inactive Wizard with Leaky Black, Anthony Davis, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, D'Angelo Russell, Alex Sarr, Cam Whitmore and Trae Young all sidelined.
But with Champagnie sidelined, Gill and Jamir Watkins, whose offense has picked up as of late, could get a chance at an expanded role with the Wizards looking to end a 15 game losing streak, currently the second longest streak in the NBA behind the Indiana Pacers, who have lost 16 straight.
The Knicks also enter tipoff with several players drawing a questionable tag, including Josh Hart, as the Wizards look to spoil New York's chance at the season sweep.