Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. grabs Spurs’ Zach Collins by throat during scuffle, both players ejected
Zach Collins of San Antonio Spurs Friday night was posterized, and the fifth-year pro didn’t appreciate it.
Denver Nuggets Forward Michael Porter Jr Collins was dunked on in the third quarter of a 128-120 win for the Spurs, and Porter’s reaction caused an uproar.
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. pulls up a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zlubowski)
Porter glared at Collins after the dunk, which led to the Spurs forward charging at Porter Jr., causing the Denver star to grab Collins by the throat during the confrontation.
Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving hits back at critics, fans in Twitch rant, addresses ‘cancer’ label
Both players were separated and Finally pulled out From the game.
“I don’t want to say the stakes were high, but I think everybody wanted to win, and everybody was on the same page,” Spurs center Sandro Mamukelashvili said. “Once you get to that point, and you’re ready, you don’t want to lose the game that you do everything to win.”
After the game, Collins said he didn’t like how Porter Jr. was talking to him after the dunk.
“Yeah I felt it in real-time,” Collins told reporters after the game when asked if he felt Porter Jr. grab his neck.
Click here for more sports coverage on FOXNEWS.COM
“You see how I pushed it. I was ready,” Collins added. “I pushed the choke away. I was ready.”
San Antonio Spurs’ Zach Collins, right, is stopped by Spurs assistant coach Matt Nielsen after an on-court dispute during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, March 10, 2023, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
for the First place nuggetsFriday night’s loss was just the fourth time Denver has lost back-to-back games this season.
Click here to get the Fox News app
Despite the 26th triple-double of the year by Center Nikola JokicDenver lost to a Spurs team that had lost 18 of its last 20 contests.
San Antonio Spurs’ Zach Collins, right, is stopped by Spurs assistant coach Matt Nielsen after an on-court dispute during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, March 10, 2023, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
San Antonio outrebounded the Nuggets 68-54 in the paint and outshot Denver 50-33.
“They lived in our paint, outplayed us and on top of that, we lost some really good looks,” Nuggets guard Jamaal Murray said. “Trying to climb back was tough, even though we brought a good attitude and a good effort. We just couldn’t dig ourselves out of the hole we created for ourselves.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
