After the first three games of the 2017 NBA Finals went by without many extra altercations, the script completely flipped for Game 4. The rivalry between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors has only grown stronger and Game 4 was an indication of how deep the bad blood runs. There were multiple scuffles after the whistle and tensions were riding high all night due to refs calling the game extra close.
While there were skirmishes between star players including Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Draymond Green, the most discussed altercation was between Cavs guard Iman Shumpert and Warriors center Zaza Pachulia. In the play, Pachulia appears to take a shot at Shumpert’s midsection as they battled it out for a loose ball.
While the play among others was under review, there will be no extra discipline administered by the NBA and no suspensions will be handed out for Game 5. Following from Sam Amick of USAToday Sports:
The NBA is reviewing several incidents from last night's game, I'm told. Zaza Pachulia swipe at Shumpert is among them. Standard protocol.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 10, 2017
No extra discipline coming from the NBA based on the Cavs-Warriors plays reviewed from Game 4, I'm told.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 10, 2017
While there were some instances in Game 4 that could’ve warranted extra discipline, commissioner Adam Silver decided not to penalize them.
After Draymond Green’s one-game suspension in last year’s finals altered the series immensely, it’s good to see everyone will be active for a crucial Game 5. With the Cavs season on the line again for the next contest, we should expect the chippiness to carry over to Game 5.
