Overview
- The confrontation began under the basket after a Trey Murphy III missed three with the score tied 39-39 midway through the second quarter.
- After video review, officials assessed unsportsmanlike technicals to Jerami Grant and Yves Missi and ejected both players, with no punches thrown.
- Portland’s Shaedon Sharpe and New Orleans’ Herb Jones received offsetting double technicals for their roles in the aftermath.
- Jerami Grant downplayed the incident postgame, calling it "a little tussle" and saying he was unsure of the exact sequence.
- Interim coach Tiago Splitter said referees told him a neck grab contributed to the decision, and the NBA has not yet announced any additional penalties as Portland prevailed 125-117 over an injury-depleted Pelicans team missing Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole.