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Aussie NBA star cops whopping fine after ugly altercation

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·3-min read
Joe Ingles (pictured) runs into a scuffle to break it up for the Utah Jazz.
Joe Ingles (pictured) was ejected from the NBA game because he made contact with a referee during a scuffle. (Image: NBA)

Joe Ingles has copped a whopping fine, but escaped a ban, after he was ejected from a game for the second time in three weeks.

Ingles joined star Utah Jazz teammates Rugby Gobert and Donovan Mitchell plus Indiana Pacers centre Myles Turner in being tossed out with just over four minutes remaining in a 111-100 home defeat on Thursday night.

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Gobert and Turner got into a wrestle after the Pacers big-man shoved his rival centre as they ran back down court, first tangling under the basket.

Ingles charged into the scuffle to help his teammate, but accidentally pushed an official out of the way.

Referees reviewed the melee for several minutes before determining that the Jazz trio and Turner had earned early showers.

Jazz coach Quin Snyder was satisfied there was no bad intent in Ingles' action.

"I know Joe ran down. I think he bumped into (referee) Ed Malloy, and I thought Ed handled that like that's a pro ref," Snyder said.

"They just tried to break it up.

"I think that's why Joe got kicked out is what I'm saying.

"I didn't see that as something, just watching the film that Joe was trying to do anything with Ed, and Ed handled it that way.

"But I understand if you make contact with an official that's the result."

Reports suggested the contact was not deemed intentional, which saved Ingles from a hefty sentence.

Ingles copped a $40,000 (AUD) fine, but avoided a ban.

Joe Ingles ejected for first time in career

Ingles' involvement comes after the genial 34-year-old was ejected from a game last month - for the first time in his long career - when officials called a flagrant 2 foul on him over contact on Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell, who was mid-air when attempting a lay-up.

Utah trailed 60-51 at halftime against the Pacers and drew no closer than five points in the fourth quarter, with any comeback hopes dashed when Mitchell, Gobert and Ingles were ejected.

Mitchell blamed the scuffle on built-up frustration over the referees allowing too much contact early in the game.

"That whole thing could have been avoided - just draw the line early, as opposed to letting it build up for the whole game," he said.

Joe Ingles (pictured) dribbling the ball during a game against the Indiana Pacers.
Joe Ingles (pictured) in action during a game against the Indiana Pacers. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) (Alex Goodlett via Getty Images)

Malcolm Brogdon scored a season-high 30 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Pacers while T.J. McConnell added 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists off the bench.

Turner had 13 points and nine rebounds.

Mitchell scored 26 points for Utah, while Gobert added 19 points and 11 rebounds and Ingles contributed seven points, four rebounds and four assists.

with AAP

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