Phoenix Suns center Bismack Biyombo went up for a seemingly open dunk in the final seconds of a 110-80 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals on Tuesday.
Mavericks big and former Sun Marquese Chriss — yes, that Marquese Chriss — fouled Biyombo as he was in the air to prevent the score.
Bismack Biyombo and Marquese Chriss were ejected after Chriss appeared not too happy with Biyombo attempting a dunk with about 3 seconds remaining. @JGSports_6 heard Chriss say “That’s bull (expletive)” multiple times before Biyombo got in his face. #RallyTheValley #NBA pic.twitter.com/WBUcCK032p
— 98.7 Arizona Sports (@AZSports) May 11, 2022
Both players took exception and got in each other’s face. They were separated by officials and their teammates and subsequently ejected for the final 2.3 seconds of the game.
The two went off to the tunnels, with Chriss caught on camera running into the back.
They met in the hallway as Biyombo attempted to make his way to Phoenix’s locker room and were separated again.
Marquese Chriss and Bismack Biyombo almost went at it in the locker room hallway
pic.twitter.com/erLrolsXcO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 11, 2022
“I get the competitiveness of the game, but we’re just trying to win the game,” Suns head coach Monty Williams said postgame. “All that stuff that happens, that’s extracurriculars. I don’t have anything to say about that. I understand how chippy it can be.
“We just want to win the game and and that’s it. We’re trying to get one more win. And that’s our focus right now.”
Suns center Deandre Ayton had different thoughts, telling Suns radio broadcaster Al McCoy postgame he wishes he was involved and joked that he needed that energy.
When the game ended, Suns wing Ish Wainwright and Mavericks guard Sterling Brown were quickly separated after exchanging a few words.
Dallas guard Luka Doncic was caught on camera saying, “Everybody acting tough when they’re up,” on his way to the locker room after the game.
Deandre Ayton talks about the scuffle between Bismack Biyombo and Marquese Chriss. What the full interview with Ayton using the link below. #RallyTheValley #NBAPlayoffs
Full interview: https://t.co/TEBIP3kpRf pic.twitter.com/jcUooZOcaO
— 98.7 Arizona Sports (@AZSports) May 11, 2022
The two sides will meet again on Thursday in Game 6. The Suns are up 3-2 in the series and can clinch a second straight Western Conference Finals berth with a win in Dallas.
Catch the action on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.