Nuggets Guard Austin Rivers Ejected After Altercation With Lance Stephenson

Rivers and Stephenson got into a skirmish during the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game.

Throughout his NBA career, Lance Stephenson has developed a reputation for getting under his opponents’s skin. On Wednesday, he appeared to succeed in claiming another victim.

Stephenson and Denver guard Austin Rivers got into an altercation midway through the fourth quarter, when Stephenson tipped the ball away from Rivers in front of the Pacers bench to force a turnover. Rivers appeared to take exception with getting hit in the face and getting bumped by Stephenson after the play, leading to some shoving between the two.

Lance Stephenson and Austin Rivers get into it in front of the Pacers bench 👀

After review, refs assessed a foul on Lance and a double tech on Rivers and Stephenson.https://t.co/gMZhphQhuM

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 31, 2022

Rivers and Stephenson were both issued technical fouls on the play. Less than a minute later, Rivers picked up his second technical and was ejected for throwing an elbow at Stephenson’s face—though replays show that he didn’t make any contact.

Austin Rivers got ejected for 'throwing an elbow' in Lance Stephenson's face. Upon replay, Rivers didn't hit Stephenson.

Good or bad call on this ejection? 🤔https://t.co/iq7kCVojq6

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 31, 2022

Austin Rivers got a tech and was ejected for faking an elbow at Lance Stephenson. pic.twitter.com/oLlV2jAm4W

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 31, 2022

After the game, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said that referee Tony Brothers told him the play was a “malicious act” by Rivers, even though no contact was made. Malone said the team plans to address the issue with the league office, according to Mike Singer of The Denver Post.

Rivers also addressed the incident postgame. 

Never in my life have I been thrown out of Game for something so ridiculous. Seriously…never😂. League gotta look at this one.

— Austin Rivers (@AustinRivers25) March 31, 2022

Denver led by as many as 31 points but had to survive a late rally by Indiana, eventually winning, 125-118. Nikola Jokic finished the game with 37 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists on 15-for-19 shooting. The win gives the Nuggets sole possession of the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.

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