John Collins Explains His Side of Heated Exchange With Coach in Jazz-Bulls Scuffle

A double technical foul was called by referees.

The Chicago Bulls' matchup against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night ended in a heated exchange between the players and even the coaches.

With 9.3 seconds remaining, Jazz forward John Collins walked over to the Bulls’ bench as Chicago forward Torrey Craig, who is out with injury, was harping something toward him.

Bulls assistant coach Chris Fleming tried to stand between Collins and Craig before things escalated, but he ended up exchanging shoves with the Jazz forward. That’s when the tension soared, as more players and coaches attempted to break up the scuffle that followed.

John Collins and a Bulls coach. 👀

https://t.co/P8FAlH0Xya

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 7, 2024

“I’m standing there and the coach comes over and just shoves me for no reason,” Collins said to reporters after the game. “Ya’ll can go watch the film. I just was protecting myself. I was just standing there, and this dude puts a forearm in my chest and is pushing me back.

“He needs some more self control. ... That was weird.”

Jazz forward John Collins tells his side of the story from the altercation near the conclusion of tonight’s Bulls-Jazz game.

“I’m standing there and the coach comes over and just shoves me for no reason. Y’all can go watch the film,” Collins said. “I just protected myself.” pic.twitter.com/19T23Zr8iC

— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) March 7, 2024

Referees issued a double technical foul on Collins and Craig. Utah’s Jordan Clarkson made the one technical free throw to tie the game at 117.

Chicago’s DeMar DeRozen brought back the Bulls’ lead as he made both of his free throws from being fouled by Collin Sexton before the sideline scuffle. The Bulls won 119–117.

It was a wild ending to the night for Collins, who led the Jazz with 25 points and 13 rebounds.