'That was assault': Ben Simmons chokes rival in crazy on-court brawl
Philadelphia star Ben Simmons channeled his inner MMA fighter during a crazy moment in the 76ers NBA clash with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Chaos erupted in the third quarter of the match, while Philly held a comfortable lead over the Timberwolves.
It all started with an off-the-ball incident involving 76ers centre Joel Embiid and Minnesota big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
It began with a bit of push and shove but quickly escalated into both men taking wild haymakers at one another.
THINGS ARE ESCALATING IN PHILLY WITH KAT AND EMBIID GOING AT IT. pic.twitter.com/7nNhWnCHFv
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) October 31, 2019
Players from both teams raced in from all angles as a scrum of bodies littered the back off the court, right near the front row seats.
When the brawl did eventually die down and the players were ushered away, Simmons was left lying on the court with his arm around Towns' throat.
The Aussie had his opponent wrapped in a headlock, seemingly more intent on keeping him pinned down than causing him harm.
However, Towns could be seen tapping one of his hands on the court in a move not dissimilar to a UFC fighter conceding defeat.
Viewers couldn't believe what they were seeing as the extraordinary incident lit up social media.
Simmons really got KAT to tap out LMAO😭 pic.twitter.com/AUv1lR8u5X
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) October 31, 2019
What about that Simmons choke hold? He’s multi game suspension too IMO.
— AJ Lebron (@AmauryLebron) October 31, 2019
BEN SIMMONS PUT KAT IN THE CRIPPLER CROSSFACE AND I MISSED IT. IM TIGHT
— The Cavs made no moves (@bootlegjesus_) October 31, 2019
Ben Simmons choked KAT out tho 😭😭😭😭😭😭
— Razor Shamone (@ImKingMetta) October 31, 2019
This is honestly the most philly thing that Ben Simmons will ever do
— Olivia Mulvihill (@OliviaMulvihill) October 31, 2019
Rofl Ben Simmons has better wrestling moves than he does jumpers hahahahaha
— JJ (@JJ2710) October 31, 2019
karl anthony-towns let BEN SIMMONS put him in a choke hold i don’t know how you can come back from that
— __kevinowensmark__ ☭ (@segan_17) October 31, 2019
Simmons should be suspended the rest of the season, that was assault
— Brad Kaufmann™ (@brad_kauf) October 31, 2019
Towns and Embiid were both ejected for their roles in the fight, while Simmons was able to stay out on court.
It remains to be seen whether the Aussie will face sanction for his part in the fracas but in the world of social media, he won the bout via 'tap-out'.
Sixers undefeated after fourth straight win
Simmons' 76ers also won the match 117-95, just for good measure.
Embiid scored 19 points as undefeated Philadelphia scored their fourth straight win to begin the new season.
Both teams entered 3-0. The Spurs, at 3-0, are the only other unbeaten team in the NBA.
Andrew Wiggins scored 19 points, Towns had 13 points and former Sixer Robert Covington had seven for the Timberwolves.
Tobias Harris scored 18 points, Furkan Korkmaz had 17 off the bench and Simmons added 16 for Philadelphia. Al Horford grabbed 16 rebounds to go with 12 points.
Minnesota led 11-9 midway through the first quarter before Harris hit a 3-pointer. Harris followed with a driving layup and Philadelphia led the rest of the way.
Embiid punctuated a dominant first half with a 3 to put the Sixers up 63-42 going into the break.
