With less than a minute left in Wednesday’s Grizzlies/Knicks game and Memphis leading by 18 points, Grizzlies forward Jae Crowder stole an inbound pass and ran to the three-point line to get a shot up, drawing the ire of Knicks guard Elfrid Payton. As Crowder launched his three-pointer, Payton delivered a two-handed shove to his chest, knocking him over and instigating a scuffle between the players on the court (video link).
As Evan Barnes of The Memphis Commercial Appeal writes, the altercation could lead to fines and/or suspensions for some of the players involved. Payton, Crowder, and Marcus Morris were ejected from the game, with Payton receiving a flagrant 2 foul.
Payton, who seems like the most probable candidate for a suspension, expressed no remorse for his actions after the game, suggesting that Crowder “knows better” than to do what he did with the game’s outcome already decided, per Garrett Stepien and Ian Begley of SNY.tv.
“I’d do it again,” Payton said. “Didn’t matter who took that shot. Don’t disrespect the game like that … you just don’t do that.”
Barnes points out that Grizzlies players Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marko Guduric could also be subject to league discipline, since they left the team’s bench area during the incident before eventually being pulled back by assistant coaches. The NBA’s rules call for a one-game suspension for any player that leaves the bench to enter the fray during an on-court altercation.
The Knicks don’t play again until Saturday, but the Grizzlies are in action tomorrow, so if the NBA plans on handing out suspensions, we’ll hear about them before Friday night.
Here’s more on the Grizzlies/Knicks fracas:
- As Mike Vornukov of The Athletic details, Morris faced a backlash after the game for using sexist language while criticizing Crowder’s “unprofessional” play. ““
- Morris, who may face NBA punishment for his comments about Crowder, later apologized on Twitter: “I apologize for using the term ‘female tendencies.’ I have the upmost respect for women and everything they mean to us. It was a heat of the moment response and I never intended for any women to feel as though in anyway I’m disrespecting them. Again I apologize for my comments.”
- Following the late-game altercation, fans at Madison Square Garden aimed a “Sell the team” chant at owner James Dolan for about 20 seconds, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. Dolan shouted at security during the chants, and a source tells Berman that the Knicks’ owner also singled out a teenager who was the nearest chanting fan in his vicinity.
Jae should be ashamed of himself for this clown move.
Gotta suspend Payton. Wasnt the best look to fire up a three but if u dont want him running up the score then be better and dont get down 20. Also show a little effort and guard him. Pouting under the goal after he stole it isnt the best look either
I’m pleased to hear Marcus has the UPmost respect for women.
Dolan is the worst owner in sports
He’s on the Mount Rushmore with Jerry Jones, Eugene Melnyk, and Robert Sarver.
None of those three deserve that “honor.” I’m not even sure Dolan is there yet.
That Mount Rushmore would be Donald Sterling, Jeffrey Loria, Ted Stepian, and Art Modell.
Does Marge Schott replace Modell?
Not even the worst in NYC, as long as the Wilpon’s are around.
I guess its just me but throwing hands over a game seems silly.
If the game’s outcome is already decided, then why not just stop playing when everyone decides the game is out of hand? Why waste everyone’s time in thinking they are watching a competitive basketball game? Let’s just install a little league mercy rule so these multi-millionaire don’t get their little feelings hurt by someone doing what they are supposed to do.
Personally, I would consider it a bigger disrespect as a professional for another professional to stop trying against me to spare my feelings.
The Knicks offseason has given them a great roster, to fight. The basketball hasn’t gone so well. I fully expect Payton to be suspended. Pushed a guy while he was in the air.
It’s so stupid. For whatever reason there’s some unwritten rule which says if your winning by heaps and times about to expire your not aloud to throw up a shot.
Players seem to get really pissed off when this unwritten rule is broken yet these same players flop, travel, intentionally foul and so on.
If your annoyed that there up by 20 then play better not Crowders fault y’all suck. If your annoyed cause times going to expire and he’s still shooting then defend him.
“Don’t disrespect the game like that … you just don’t do that,” says the guy that could’ve just taken the higher ground and let it go.
Don’t disrespect the game? The Knicks entire organization is disrespectful to the game. If you don’t like a guy shooting, maybe try stopping him? Mad because a guy took a shot during a basketball game. Cry baby millionaire can’t handle being bad at a children’s game. Pathetic.
Coach gotta go
Lmao crowder is a scub on a bad team. Not surprised he is involved taking a late 3 is disrespectful to the game and the other team. Payton gets respect from me.
Gotta like how the NY fans chanted against Dolan and Dennis Smith.
Post headline: “Knicks completely blast Marcus Morris’ comments”. The PC language police is upping their predicate game!