Brook Lopez And Trey Lyles Were Ejected After Late Incident In The Bucks-Kings Game

Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown wasn't sure what transpired in a confrontation between both teams towards the end of Monday night's 133-124 defeat to the visiting Milwaukee Bucks. Yet Brown has a warning for any NBA club looking to put his Kings to the test as they prepare to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

"I'm not sure what occurred, but I'm not taking no s—- from nobody," Brown stated after the game. "You can count on it. And they'll all have each other's backs in this."

NBA All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo was dribbling out the game's closing seconds in front of Kings player Trey Lyles. Many Kings players expressed displeasure with Antetokounmpo's sluggish, slanted dribbling after the game.

With 15.1 seconds remaining, a disgruntled Lyles attempted to take the ball from Antetokounmpo before pushing him with two hands. Bucks centre Brook Lopez approached Lyles face-to-face, unbeknownst to Antetokounmpo. Lyles retaliated by snatching Lopez's throat. Lopez swiftly followed by holding the back of Lyle's head as officials, players, coaches, and security from both sides swarmed.

As an enraged Lopez had to be calmed around half court, the situation cooled down as the conflict neared the scorer's table.

Lopez and Lyles were both thrown out. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer also played it cautious by sitting Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks led 120-116 with 3:11 left before closing off the win with a 13-6 surge.

"It's sad," remarked Budenholzer. "I thought it was a fantastic game. Sacramento and their performance astounded me. I'm not going to comment on what happened or did not happen."

"Giannis could simply dribble the ball out," said Kings guard De'Aaron Fox. Nothing would have occurred if he hadn't done it."

Antetokounmpo led the way with 46 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, while Khris Middleton chipped in 31 points and nine assists. Sacramento's Fox led the squad with 35 points, and fellow All-Star Domantas Sabonis added his 10th triple-double of the season with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 15 assists.