Following just the latest scuffle from around the league, Orlando Magic guard Arron Afflalo has been suspended two games by the NBA after an altercation with Minnesota Timberwolves’ forward Nemanja Bjelica in the first half of Tuesday’s matchup. Both Afflalo and Bjelica were ejected, and although they were without the veteran shooter for the rest of the game, the Magic were able to pull out a big win against a surging Timberwolves team, the club’s second straight victory.
so Arron Afflalo and Nemanja Bjelica get into a scrap ??? pic.twitter.com/xTfxxmTqMW
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) January 17, 2018
Bjelica had some words about the altercation following the contest, per ESPN.com:
“I don’t want to feel like a victim here, that’s part of the game. But he took a swing at me, and I was just trying to protect myself, first of all, and to calm him down because he was wild. I don’t know what’s wrong with that guy, but at that point, I have to protect myself and my family.”
Afflalo later stated that the altercation was needed to pump up an Orlando team in the midst of yet another lost season, according to Victor Tan of the Orlando Sentinel:
“It’s an unfortunate incident, just competitive nature, an isolated incident. I’m very proud of my teammates. They stayed composed. Through all of that, they put up a great fight. Regardless of the energy that was sparked from that, us getting a win last night and showing some fight figuratively — for me literally but for them figuratively — was a great thing.
Afflalo later added that it was just part of the game, and nothing personal towards Bjelica:
“It was nothing personal,” Afflalo added. “I don’t know him. But that happens all the time. It’s just unfortunate that it escalated to where it ended between us. I’ll try to handle it a little bit better next time.”
Orlando currently is tied for the worst record in the NBA at 13-31, and will now be without Afflalo for a pair contests against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
