A skirmish broke out between Warriors and Hornets players late in Golden State’s 97-84 win over Charlotte on Friday night.
The incident occurred near the end of the match. Warriors guard Lester Quinones looked poised for a layup with 13.8 seconds left, but the Hornets seemed to expect Golden State to just keep possession. Hornets star Miles Bridges and forward Grant Williams collided with Quinones in the face, starting a scuffle.
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Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Hornets players become separated after a collision at Chase Center during the fourth quarter. (Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)
Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Hornets coach Steve Clifford were shaking hands during the incident. After the whistle blew, both coaches turned around. NBC Sports’ Bay Area cameras caught Clifford mouthing, “Oh my god…”
There was about a one-second difference between the shot clock and the game clock. The Hornets seem to be challenging what are considered the unwritten rules of basketball.
“I really don’t understand why people get so mad about someone scoring at the end of a game,” Warriors forward Draymond Green said. “It’s stupid, it’s unofficial, it’s like an unwritten rule.” he said. “If you guys were winning by 13 points, would you be mad if he layed up the ball? I doubt it. I mean, it’s like a competitive game.”
Clifford downplayed the skirmish itself.
Four players were ejected after a melee during the Pelicans-Heat game.Jimmy Butler put his hand on his throat.
Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams, 2, speaks with Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (center right) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Friday, February 23, 2024, in San Francisco. . (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
“I don’t think it was a big deal. Maybe a little shock here and there,” he said. “It’s frustrating, but whatever it is, it’s going to happen.”
Quinones was playing in his 21st game of the season, but only the 25th of his career. He is averaging about 12.8 minutes and 4.9 points per game this season.
Coach Kerr said he has taught his team to keep playing until the end of the game unless the shot clock is turned off.
“For 10 years, I’ve been telling my teams, ‘If you’re down on the shot clock, keep playing,'” Kerr said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “For me, the game says keep playing. We’ve always done it that way. No one was ever offended.”
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (left) argues with Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) at Chase Center during the fourth quarter. (Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)
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“To me, it’s very strange why it would be offensive to someone. I never understood why it would be offensive. No one has ever been mad at us for doing something like that in the past. Why turn Are you going to go over? The clock says keep playing, dude.” Keep playing. That shouldn’t offend anyone. ”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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