Austin Rivers ejected for elbow fake on Lance Stephenson

Austin Rivers ejected for elbow fake on Lance Stephenson

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Nuggets guard Austin Rivers was ejected in Wednesday’s 125-118 win over the Pacers after an elbow fake at Indiana guard Lance Stephenson’s head — and players around the league aren’t happy about the call.

Rivers was hit with his second technical while holding the ball at the top of the key in the fourth quarter. Stephenson jerked his head back when Rivers pump-faked his right elbow — but did not appear to make contact with Stephenson in slow motion replay videos.

But still, the call stood and Rivers was tossed, as it was his second technical of the night.

Right before Rivers was ejected, he and Stephenson were both issued technical fouls midway through the fourth after they got into an altercation in front of the Pacers bench. The guards got in each other’s faces and exchanged words, and had to be separated by teammates and referees.

Referee Tony Brothers said the elbow fake was a “malicious act” by Rivers, according to Nuggets coach Mike Malone — who said the team plans to address the issue

with the league office.

After Rivers was tossed from the game, he tweeted for the first time in 24 days, writing, “Never in my life have I been thrown out of Game for something so ridiculous. Seriously…never. League gotta look at this one.”

Austin Rivers (right) and Lance Stephenson in an altercation
AP
A phantom elbow by Rivers
A phantom elbow by Rivers
Twitter

Nets star Kevin Durant said the ejection was “so embarrassing” in a tweet Wednesday night. Rivers’ fiancee, Audreyana Michelle, said the call was a bunch of “bs,” and called Stephenson a “clown” in a post on her Instagram Story

Stephenson is known for getting under the skin of his opponents. In 2014, he blew into LeBron James’ ear during Game 5 of the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals, when his Pacers faced James’ Heat.

Rivers put up three points and three rebounds before he was ejected. Stephenson recorded five points in the Pacers’ loss.

The Nuggets moved up to the No. 5 seed in the West with Wednesday’s win and they play host to the Timberwolves on Friday, while the Pacers play the Celtics in Boston.


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