Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook and Dallas Mavericks forward PJ Washington were ejected with 6:10 left in the fourth quarter of the Mavs' 101-90 Game 3 win Friday night.
The heated argument between Westbrook and Washington began when Westbrook roughed up Mavericks star Luka Doncic by grabbing his right arm from behind and stomping on it, pulling Doncic back.
When Doncic approached Westbrook to retaliate, Westbrook shoved him with his left arm. Washington and Westbrook then exchanged shoves before other players, coaches and officials intervened.
Russell Westbrook is ejected for two technical fouls and first for tripping Luka Doncic, then pushing PJ Washington.
Thoughts? 🤔pic.twitter.com/Ui4jsX5CoK
– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 27, 2024
“You always have to protect 77 at all costs,” Washington told ESPN after the win. “So, obviously it was a tough mistake and he pushed him after that, so I was there and I had to step into it.”
Westbrook finished with just one point on free throws after shooting 0-of-7 from the field and missing all four 3-point attempts in 19 minutes off the bench.
During the second quarter, Westbrook was again called for 1 foul for hitting Dallas forward Josh Green in the head during a fast break dunk attempt with 8:37 left in the half.
The nine-time All-Star was called for two technical fouls and was ejected from the finals for the first time in his 16-year career. He left the American Airlines Center without speaking to reporters.
Russell Westbrook was held to a career-low one point in a playoff game, PJ Washington's first technical with 10:24 left.
“You have to control yourself,” said Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. “It's exciting in the playoffs and everybody wants to play well and do well, but you have to stay calm no matter what the calls are. So we have to be better than this on the floor when it comes to that.”
Washington was ejected after receiving his second technical foul. The first came after a tackle from Clippers guard Terance Mann with 10:24 left in the fourth quarter.
The technical was issued after Washington was seen near the Clippers bench, crossing his arms and staring to “set the tone” while players pushed each other on the court.
Russell Westbrook and PJ Washington were ejected from the game with 6:10 left. #MFFL | @dallasmavs to @BallySports 📺 pic.twitter.com/Fo9Yr6fXzb
– Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) April 27, 2024
“[Mann] it made me angry to look at their bench, so I decided to look at it again,” said Washington. “I'm just going in and trying to set the tone.”
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said after the win that the rivalry between the two playoff contenders is normal.
“We're all competing for every inch to try to win,” Kidd said. “This series will grow mentally as it goes on, just because of the physical strength. It's very physical, though [it’s part of] the mental part of this thread. We have to be sharp, and we have to understand what is happening. I thought the guys did a great job defending each other.”
Dallas hosts the Clippers in Game 4 on Sunday at 3:30 pm ET.
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