Benches Empty After Mitchell, Bane Scuffle in Cavaliers-Grizzlies Game

A heated moment occurred during the third quarter of Sunday night’s game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Memphis Grizzlies, leading to a bench-clearing incident. With the Cavaliers leading 71-68 and 7:28 remaining in the third, Cavaliers’ All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell and Grizzlies’ guard Desmond Bane became entangled on the ground while battling for the ball.

After Mitchell stumbled and fell while dribbling, he secured possession, and the Cavaliers called a timeout. However, Bane continued his attempt to wrest the ball away, leading to a physical tussle. Mitchell ended up on top of Bane and rose to his feet. As Cavaliers’ coach Kenny Atkinson and Grizzlies’ center Zach Edey attempted to separate the players, Grizzlies’ guard Ja Morant pushed Mitchell, escalating the situation.

Mitchell raised his hands, seemingly trying to de-escalate the situation, while Bane continued to pursue him near the Cavaliers’ bench. Players from both teams rushed to the scene, and Cavaliers’ center Tristan Thompson pushed Edey before the players were separated.

Following a replay review, officials issued technical fouls to Mitchell, Bane, Morant, and Thompson, with the fouls offsetting each other.

This incident marked Mitchell’s first altercation of this nature since a previous Cavaliers-Grizzlies game on February 2, 2023, when former Grizzlies’ player Dillon Brooks struck him below the belt, resulting in a full-fledged fight.

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