Every NBA Player Who Fought a Teammate: The Full Story Behind Each Infamous Incident Explained in 20 Minutes—Drama, Rivalries, and Locker Room Showdowns
NBA Locker Room Brawls: The Untold Stories Behind Basketball’s Most Explosive Teammate Fights
When you picture NBA drama, you probably think of buzzer-beaters, trade rumors, or epic playoff battles. But sometimes, the fiercest fights happen off the court—inside locker rooms, at practice, or even mid-game, where pride, ego, and frustration collide. These are the stories the cameras weren’t supposed to catch. From punches to cold wars, here are the most unforgettable teammate clashes in basketball history.
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Bill Laimbeer vs. Isiah Thomas — The End of the Bad Boys Era
It was 1993, and the once-feared Detroit Pistons were crumbling. The team that bullied its way to back-to-back championships was now stuck in mediocrity. Tensions boiled over during a mid-season practice, where frustration from a losing streak erupted into violence. Isiah Thomas, Detroit’s fiery leader, swung at enforcer Bill Laimbeer—breaking his own hand on Laimbeer’s jaw. The incident was never officially reported, but insiders confirmed it marked the symbolic end of Detroit’s dynasty. Pride, not hate, tore the Bad Boys apart.
Michael Jordan vs. Steve Kerr — A Punch That Forged a Partnership
When Michael Jordan returned to the Bulls in 1995, he came back obsessed with reclaiming his throne. During a heated practice, relentless trash talk pushed mild-mannered Steve Kerr past his limit. Kerr barked back. Jordan punched him, giving Kerr a black eye. Coach Phil Jackson sent both men home, but the incident strangely became the start of a friendship. Jordan respected Kerr’s toughness, and two years later, Kerr hit the title-clinching shot in the Finals—assisted by Jordan himself.
Scott Skiles vs. Shaquille O’Neal — David vs. Goliath in Orlando
Early in Shaq’s career, the Magic’s wild locker room energy led to a legendary scuffle. Fiery point guard Scott Skiles swung at the 7’1”, 325-lb Shaq. The punch missed, and Shaq immediately put Skiles in a headlock. No fines, no suspensions—just earned respect. The fight toughened the team, helping them reach the 1995 NBA Finals.
Kevin Garnett vs. Wally Szczerbiak — Intensity in Minnesota
Kevin Garnett’s leadership was legendary—and terrifying. In 2000, Garnett’s demand for effort boiled over into a near-brawl with Wally Szczerbiak after a missed defensive rotation. Teammates intervened before punches landed. The confrontation was about respect, not animosity, and Garnett’s fire became Minnesota’s engine, eventually leading them to the Western Conference Finals.
Zach Randolph vs. Ruben Patterson — The Jailblazers Era
The early 2000s Portland Trail Blazers were infamous for chaos. During a heated scrimmage, young Zach Randolph sucker-punched Ruben Patterson, breaking his orbital bone. Randolph was fined $100,000 and suspended, and the fight cemented Portland’s reputation for off-court drama. Patterson was traded, Randolph matured—but the 2003 punch symbolized a roster with too much ego and not enough control.
Nate Robinson vs. Malik Rose — Rookie vs. Veteran in New York
Some fights start over ego. This one started over a football bet. Rookie Nate Robinson confronted veteran Malik Rose over a wager, leading to a shower-room scuffle so loud the media heard it outside. No fines, no suspensions—just another bizarre Knicks moment. Robinson became a fan favorite, Rose moved into broadcasting, and the incident faded into lore.
Etan Thomas vs. Brendan Haywood — A Feud That Split a Locker Room
For years, Wizards centers Etan Thomas and Brendan Haywood battled for the starting job—sometimes literally. Their first major fight in 2006 led to suspensions for both, and the locker room split into factions. Their rivalry was philosophical as much as physical, and it exposed how fragile chemistry can be when two players want the same role.
Gilbert Arenas vs. Javaris Crittenton — When Fists Turned to Firearms
The darkest teammate fight in NBA history began over a gambling debt and escalated to guns in the locker room. In 2009, Gilbert Arenas laid out four unloaded guns, telling Crittenton to “pick one.” Crittenton pulled out a loaded weapon and pointed it at Arenas. Both were suspended for the season; Arenas’s career never recovered, and Crittenton’s story ended in tragedy and prison. The NBA overhauled its locker room policies overnight.
Delonte West vs. Von Wafer — Battling Demons in Boston
In 2010, Delonte West’s emotional volatility boiled over. After fouling Von Wafer repeatedly in a scrimmage, West ambushed him near the locker room door, throwing a punch. The Celtics didn’t suspend West, but reassessed his role. West’s career soon spiraled, and the fight became a tragic footnote in his struggle with mental health.
Tony Allen vs. OJ Mayo — Grit and Grind Gets Physical
A friendly card game on a team flight turned ugly when OJ Mayo refused to pay a debt to Tony Allen. Allen decked Mayo, giving him a black eye. Their coach ordered them to shake hands and move on, and the Grizzlies went on to embrace their gritty identity.
DeMarcus Cousins vs. Donte Greene — Passion in Sacramento
Rookie DeMarcus Cousins exploded after a missed pass in the final seconds of a loss, charging Donte Greene in the locker room. The fight led to a suspension for Cousins, who was known for his emotional volatility. The incident set the tone for his career: elite talent, short fuse.
LeBron James vs. Mario Chalmers — Champions Argue Like Family
During Miami’s Big Three era, LeBron and Mario Chalmers clashed often. One heated exchange against the Pacers saw LeBron nearly charge Chalmers after being called out. But moments later, LeBron apologized. Their back-and-forth became part of the Heat’s DNA, proof that even champions argue like family.
Evan Turner vs. Lance Stephenson — Indiana’s Collapse
In 2014, the Pacers’ playoff hopes unraveled after Evan Turner and Lance Stephenson traded punches in the final practice before the postseason. The fight exposed cracks in the locker room, and Indiana was soon eliminated by Miami. Both players left the team soon after.
Bobby Portis vs. Nikola Mirotic — The Knockout That Changed Careers
In 2017, Bobby Portis knocked out Nikola Mirotic with a single punch during Bulls practice, breaking his jaw and giving him a concussion. Portis was suspended, Mirotic was traded, and both careers took new paths. Portis later won a championship with Milwaukee, reflecting, “It was a mistake, but it made me grow.”
Anthony Davis vs. Dwight Howard — Lakers Frustration Goes Viral
During an early season game in 2021, Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard got physical on the Lakers bench. The moment went viral, highlighting the team’s dysfunction. Both players downplayed the incident, but the Lakers never fully recovered that season.
Draymond Green vs. Jordan Poole — The Punch Seen Around the World
In 2022, Draymond Green punched Jordan Poole during Warriors practice, a moment captured on video and leaked online. Green apologized, but the chemistry never recovered. Poole was traded the following summer, and the incident showed even dynasties can crack from within.
Jimmy Butler vs. TJ Warren — Feud on Center Stage
Sometimes the fight happens right in front of the world. In 2020, Jimmy Butler and TJ Warren were ejected after a heated exchange and shoves. Butler blew Warren a kiss, taunting him as cameras rolled. The feud continued online, but the rematch never happened due to pandemic restrictions.
Rajon Rondo vs. Ray Allen — Years of Cold War in Boston
Not all fights involve fists. From 2011 to 2017, Rondo and Allen’s feud simmered over play calling and leadership. When Allen left for Miami, Rondo took it personally, and the Celtics’ Big Three froze Allen out of reunions. They finally reconciled in 2022, but the emotional scars ran deep.
Marvin Barnes vs. Teammates — The Tire Iron Incident
Before the NBA was what it is today, Marvin “Bad News” Barnes was a cautionary tale. In the 1970s ABA, Barnes attacked a teammate with a tire iron after a practice dispute. He was arrested and suspended, and his career spiraled due to addiction and volatility.
Joel Embiid vs. Kelly Oubre Jr. — Modern Tensions in Philly
In 2024, Sixers stars Joel Embiid and Kelly Oubre Jr. nearly came to blows after a loss. Oubre confronted Embiid about leadership, voices escalated, and teammates separated them. The incident exposed cracks in the locker room, the kind that often precede major shakeups.
From pride and passion to ego and immaturity, these fights reveal the human side of basketball’s biggest stars. Sometimes, greatness is forged in conflict—and sometimes, it’s destroyed by it.
Thank you for reading.
