Thunder-Wizards altercation leads to multiple ejections in OKC win

Things got a little chippy in Oklahoma City.

Thunder forward Jaylin Williams and Washington’s Justin Champagnie were both ejected following an altercation late in the first half of OKC’s 132-111 win Saturday night.

It started under the basket. After a score by the Wizards’ Anthony Gill, Williams and Champagnie began shoving. That quickly drew in others. Gill and Oklahoma City’s Ajay Mitchell got involved, and the whole thing spilled into the seating area before things were finally separated.

From there, it was up to the officials.

After a lengthy review, Williams and Champagnie were each hit with two technical fouls and tossed. Mitchell and Thunder guard Cason Wallace were also ejected after picking up one technical apiece.

So yes, four players gone before halftime.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault did not necessarily see it the same way as the officiating crew.

“I disagreed with their judgment,” Daigneault said, via reporters, after speaking with crew chief John Goble. “But we worked through it and moved on.”

In the end, the game itself was not much of a contest. The Thunder handled business.

The fireworks just came a little earlier than expected.