The NBA issued one-game suspensions to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell and Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie following a second-quarter altercation that spilled into the spectator stands during the Thunder's 132-111 win on Saturday. Thunder forward Jaylin Williams and guard Cason Wallace received fines of $50,000 and $35,000, respectively. Officials ejected four players from the game.
The incident occurred in the closing seconds of the second quarter. Thunder forward Jaylin Williams shoulder-checked Wizards forward Justin Champagnie, who was positioning on the baseline to inbound the ball after a Wizards basket. The two players shoved each other before an official intervened and assessed a technical foul on Williams. As this unfolded, Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell approached, and Champagnie shoved him in the face. Mitchell then lunged at Champagnie, leading the scuffle to spill into courtside seats where several players ended up in a pile on the ground amid shoving until separated. Officials reviewed the play and issued two technical fouls each to Champagnie and Williams, ejecting them. Mitchell and Wallace also received technicals and ejections for escalating the altercation. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault expressed disagreement with the officials' decisions, stating, 'I disagreed with their judgment after talking to them and watching at halftime. I worked with John Goble for a long time and he worked with me and we ended up agreeing to disagree. We both moved on. That's all I can say about it.' Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who helped separate players, said, 'I was pretty confused as a lot happened. Honestly, I still haven't seen it. So I don't know who was deserving of what. I guess refs watched it a few times, made a call.' Champagnie will miss the Wizards' game against the Knicks on Sunday, while Mitchell will sit out the Thunder's matchup with the 76ers on Monday.
