On Friday night, a few of the players for the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks got into a heated exchange on the floor that led to three ejections. Nick Young, D’Angelo Russell, and Greg Monroe were thrown out of the game for their role in the on-court scuffle prompting a few interesting responses from Lakers head coach Luke Walton and Golden State Warriors star forward, Draymond Green.
Walton was proud of his players for backing up Young when the altercation took place. Green, however, made a comment about Russell’s role in the incident and how it bothered him. Walton, after being asked about Green’s comments about Russell, chose to say the following about the criticism, via Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News:
“I’m not going to comment on it,” Walton said after Saturday’s practice. “If I hear from Draymond, then I’ll comment on it. I don’t see any of that stuff. I was proud of D’Angelo for getting in there and sticking up for his teammate.”
Although the NBA has had ample time to review the incident, the league has yet to reach out to the Lakers regarding any suspensions or fines that may be assessed. Walton could receive a fine along with Young and Russell for the comments he made after Friday’s game.
As the Lakers await any possible punishment from the league, the team will prepare to take on LeBron James and the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday at the Staples Center. Despite going through the on-court scuffle that may have helped bring the team together on Friday, Los Angeles has lost four in a row.
The Cavaliers have been able to maintain their standing at the top of the Eastern Conference with the playoff drawing near, but it has been anything but easy for LeBron and company who has lost six of their last 10 games. Cleveland will be looking to take advantage of the last-place Lakers on Sunday as they try to get right before the postseason.