Ben Simmons clashes with Minnesota star Karl-Anthony Towns
Tensions reached breaking point between Philadelphia and Minnesota in the NBA today, with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid going toe-to-toe with big man Karl-Anthony Towns. WATCH THE FOOTAGE
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Ben Simmons turned professional wrestler when he used a chokehold to restrain Minnesota big man and close friend Karl-Anthony Towns during a fiery clash between the Timberwolves and Philadelphia.
Tensions reached breaking point in the third quarter when Sixers centre Joel Embiid clashed with Towns.
WATCH THE VIDEO IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
The pair started wrestling before falling to the ground. Simmons then came to Embiid’s rescue with a WWE-style chokehold on Towns, prompting him to tap out on the ground.
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This prompted Twitter to blow up and compare Simmons to a wrestler with hilarious comments crowning him the ‘new champ’.
Simmons was asked about the altercation after the match.
“Just making sure my teammate was good. I always got my teammate’s back,” he said.
Both Embiid and Towns were ejected for their scuffle while Simmons remained on the court as Philadelphia held on for a 117-95 win over Minnesota.
Despite this, Simmons could cop a fine for his involvement in the melee.
No one was injured in the melee that ignited under the basket with the Sixers leading 75-55 halfway through the third.
After being ejected, Embiid walked over to the sidelines and jokingly shadowboxed in front of the Sixers bench.
Fans responded with “MVP! “MVP!” chants as he was being escorted to the locker room. Cameroon-born Embiid finished with 19 points despite missing half of the third quarter and the entire fourth.
At the post-match press conference Embiid was unapologetic.
“First of all, I ain’t no bitch,” he said with a laugh.
“There wasn’t a lot of talking. It kind of happened out of nowhere.
“I just did what I had to do. I was just trying to control myself and, you know, it happens.
“I didn’t throw any punches, so I shouldn’t get suspended.”
Sixers coach Brett Brown, a former Sydney Kings and Australian national coach, said he was also not concerned that Embiid would receive a suspension.
“I don’t see punches being thrown (by Embiid) and I don’t believe he was the instigator,” Brown said.
The NBA might take a different view, however, after the match officals’ crew chief, Mark Ayotte, said: “We deemed the altercation a fight. Therefore, by rule, they’re both ejected. I just saw them each lock arms. And that escalated to the fight.”
Karl's parents reprimanding jojo as he exits the tunnel. #Tellemmama pic.twitter.com/x5VHcQyMRT
— Cole Aldrich (@colea45) October 31, 2019
Did Ben Simmons just tap out KAT 😂
— Scott Pendlebury (@SP_10) October 31, 2019
interesting that ben simmons applies choke holds w his right arm just saying
— ☕netw3rk (@netw3rk) October 31, 2019
Yo @BenSimmons25 I’m coming to a game next week let’s prep in the back .. I’ll show you how to finish that choke 🤣🤣🤣🤣👊ðŸ»ðŸ‘ŠðŸ»ðŸ‘ŠðŸ»ðŸ”ªðŸ”ªðŸ”ª
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) October 31, 2019
Embiid said he loved the fans’ reaction to the fight.
“I was built for this city,” Embiid said. “The love they have for me, I can’t thank them enough. I appreciate all the love.That reaction was probably the loudest I ever heard them.
“That’s what the city of Philadelphia is all about. You gotta come in here, you gotta fight, you gotta play hard, you gotta be gritty, you gotta be a Broad Street Bully,” he added in a reference to Philadelphia’s rough and tumble championship NHL team from the 1970s.
Towns, who scored 13 points, declined to talk about the dust-up after the game.
“It was a competitive game. That’s all it was,” Towns said.
In Embiid’s absence Simmons stepped up, scoring 16 points and handing out seven assists as the Sixers improved their unbeaten start to the NBA season to 4-0.
Fans will have to wait until March for the return bout between the two teams, when they face off in Minneapolis.