Tempers flared at the end of Monday’s Rockets-Clippers game and, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, those tempers extended into the locker room. James Harden, Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green reportedly pushed into the Clippers’ locker room looking for Austin Rivers, who was apparently talking trash at Ariza during the final moments of the fourth quarter.
Houston Rockets’ players James Harden, Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green pushed into Clippers locker room post-game looking to confront Austin Rivers, league sources tell ESPN. Security escorted Rockets out before anything turned physical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 16, 2018
Rockets players were clamoring for Blake Griffin too, league sources said. Chris Paul also entered with other Rockers players through a backstory that connects team dressing rooms. https://t.co/BRgyHe1WgL
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 16, 2018
Entered through a back door, to be clear.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 16, 2018
Sources: As the four Rockets marched through the back hallway into the Clippers locker room, center Clint Capela knocked on the front door of Clippers entrance. Someone opened door, saw him standing there — and shut it on him.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 16, 2018
Things reached a boiling point after Griffin was ejected in the final minute of the fourth quarter for jawing with Ariza, who was exchanging words with Rivers and Patrick Beverley.
Austin Rivers bout that life talking trash to Trevor Ariza pic.twitter.com/s6o2dKtDWG
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) January 16, 2018
According to several reporters on the scene, Harden – who was inactive – and Chris Paul got into an argument when he walked into the locker room after the Rockets’ 113-102 loss to the Clippers.
Things then escalated, with additional reports eventually surfacing the Clippers’ owner Steve Ballmer was in the hallways leading to the locker rooms with security and police officers.
Two actual police officers involved, not Staples red coats… I didn’t get to see exactly what happened myself but plenty of energy in the air here
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) January 16, 2018
It was initially reported that James Harden and Chris Paul had gotten into an altercation by multiple reporters on the scene. However, Paul denied he any dust-up between he and Harden.
Chris Paul on reports that he had a confrontation with James Harden in the locker room: “That’s Donald Trump fake news.” With a laugh, he added, “Tell him I’m looking for him!”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 16, 2018
This isn’t the first time the Rockets have confronted another team. There was a similar situation against the Mavericks last season.
Clint Capela was sent for a diversion while the others tried to break in the back door. The NBA is the best. https://t.co/ev7E38eyyk
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) January 16, 2018