Ex-NBA star gets into it with fan as spectators, players ejected

A wild incident has unfolded courtside on Sunday with multiple players ejected and one fan getting physical with visiting players.

In scenes akin to NBA’s Malice in the Palace, visiting Adelaide 36ers players and a courtside fan got involved in a physical altercation in the fourth quarter of Melbourne United’s thumping 113-93 win at John Cain Arena on Sunday.

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It all boiled over when 36ers superstar Montrezl Harrell got hit with an offensive foul on a drive to the basket and showed his displeasure by kicking out at opposing centre Rob Loe when both were sprawled on the floor.

A scuffle ensued between both sets of players, leading to Harrell taking a swipe at United point guard Shea Ili, who had been chirping in his direction.

There were wild scenes late in Melbourne United vs Adelaide 36ers.

While the referees reviewed the play, words were exchanged between courtside fans and the 36ers players, who had retreated to the bench.

The fan seemed to shove 36ers guard Dejan Vasiljevic, which Harrell and point guard Kendric Davis took exception to.

Harrell and United guard Shea Ili were ejected from the game, so, too, was the fan.

ESPN reported four spectators were ejected in total after Davis and 36ers GM of basketball Matt Weston were also allegedly pushed by a fan.

The 36ers, trailing by 12 at three quarter time, tried to make a game of it after Harrell exited with 20 points, getting the deficit back to seven, with star Kendric Davis running rampant.

The import point guard registered 30 points, including 17-18 (94%) from the free throw line, and 11 assists and six rebounds in a performance that strengthened his MVP bid.

But United steadied and will head into the FIBA international break with their chest beat out on a three-game winning streak.

Montrezl Harrell and Shea Ili are both ejected; a double disqualifying foul for their role in that scuffle. After that incident, a fan sitting courtside began what turned into a physical confrontation with the 36ers players, appearing to trade words with Harrell and pushing Dejan…

— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) November 17, 2024

The 36ers have been hammered by United on both occasions this season, souring their recent hot run of form that has seen them win six of their past nine games and enter the championship discussion.

Strength in depth

United’s dominance over the 36ers highlighted their incredible depth.

Even without injured star forward Jack White, United found a way to pile on 113 points.

A huge key was their bench points, out-scoring the 36ers by a whopping 53-12.

Flynn Cameron and Ian Clark were scorching hot with the second unit.

Cameron was the star of the show with 21 points, including seven triples, while Clark scored 20, both converting over 50% of their attempts.

Rot set in early

36ers coach Mike Wells opted to trust his starters to work out their issues after United responded to 36ers’ 4-0 start to the game with a furious 13-0 run.

Goulding and United were far too strong. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

A succession of missed 36ers shots forced Wells’ hand into an unplanned time out.

The 36ers were out of sync early and that was demonstrated best by Harrell simply dribbling out the 24-second shot clock on one play.

While Harrell showed a lack of self awareness, his teammates had a concerning lack of voice, and the connection just did not seem there for the visitors.

CG from deep

A huge Goulding three on the buzzer had United up 29-22 at quarter time.

With White sidelined, United coach Dean Vickerman called on the little used Toby Koppens and Akech Aliir.

Aliir made his way into the highlights reel with a huge dunk.

Goulding repeated the dose with a huge triple on the half time buzzer to give United a huge 13 point advantage.

The 36ers had never come back from a half time deficit against United at John Cain Arena and weren’t going to start on this occasion.

A third Cameron triple in the third quarter had United’s lead out to a game-high 17 and the game threatened to unravel for the 36ers before tensions well and truly boiled over.

NBL SCOREBOARD

Melbourne United 113 (Cameron 21 Clark 20 Goulding 19) d Adelaide 36ers 93 (Davis 30 Harrell 20 Vasiljevic 15)

At John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Originally published as Ex-NBA star gets into it with fan as spectators, players ejected