The Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic got chippy on Thursday as a scuffle resulted in ejections for Robin Lopez, Admiral Schofield and Montrezl Harrell.
The Hornets are battling for a more favorable draw in the Eastern Conference play-in games. They have plenty to play for this season.
The Magic have been eliminated from the postseason. They’re not exactly mailing in yet if the night’s action is to be believed.
Tempers flared during the game between the two on Thursday, resulting in ejections for Robin Lopez and Admiral Schofield of Orlando and Montrezl Harrell of New Orleans.
Watch Hornets, Magic get into wild scuffle resulting in 3 ejections
It all started over a foul at the basket. Players came together but things didn’t escalate until Lopez barreled into the fray. Harrell squared up with the Magic center when Schofield shoved the Hornets big man in the back. Things went off after that.
Orlando may be frustrated by their season but that doesn’t justify it when things boil over like that. Meanwhile, Harrell should be smarter about staying out of those situations during a crucial stage of the season.
Harrell had 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks before his ejection. Lopez finished with one points, four rebounds and two assists in his 20 minutes. Schofield had eight points and five rebounds.
After all that bluster, the Hornets got the key victory, 128-101. They guaranteed their first .500 season since 2016.
LaMelo Ball led the way with 26 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and four steals. As a collective, Charlotte had 10 blocks on the night.
Chuma Okeke emerged with 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks in the losing effort.