In a dramatic game between the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Hornets, the defending champions emerged victorious with a 124-109 win on Friday night. The game took a heated turn in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, with multiple ejections and foul calls impacting the outcome.
Grant Williams and Miles Bridges were both ejected from the game, adding to the intensity of the matchup. Williams was deemed to have aggressively collided with former teammate Jayson Tatum, resulting in his ejection for a flagrant foul penalty 2. The referees highlighted the acceleration and impact of the collision as reasons for the call.
LaMelo Ball also faced a flagrant-1 foul for a reckless play that could have endangered Tatum. Ball's foul led to his disqualification from the game, further shifting the momentum in favor of the Celtics.
Despite the contentious moments on the court, Williams maintained that there was no malicious intent in his actions towards Tatum. He clarified that his focus was on making a play for the ball and expressed regret over the outcome of the collision.
Both teams faced technical fouls, reflecting the physical nature of the game. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla commended Tatum's resilience and praised his team's composure in the face of escalating tensions.
First-year Hornets coach Charles Lee acknowledged the need for emotional maturity and composure in close games like this. He emphasized the importance of focusing on controllable factors and building winning habits to navigate challenging situations.
The game served as a valuable lesson for both teams, highlighting the significance of maintaining discipline and poise in high-stakes matchups. As the Celtics and Hornets prepare to face off again on Saturday night, the stage is set for a rematch that promises to be equally intense and competitive.
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