NBA Players Who Got Into Real Fights Behind The Scenes
The Most Insane Fights in NBA History: A Story of Rivalry, Rage, and Redemption
From the chaotic “Malice at the Palace” that forever etched Ron Artest’s name as one of the NBA’s fiercest warriors, to Carmelo Anthony’s sucker punch that earned him a 15-game suspension, the NBA has seen some of the most unforgettable and intense fights in sports history. Let’s dive into the stories behind these legendary brawls.
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The Malice at the Palace — 2004
It was November 19, 2004, at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Indiana Pacers were cruising toward what looked like a routine blowout win against the Detroit Pistons. But with just 45.9 seconds left, everything changed.
Ron Artest, later known as Metta Sandiford-Artest, committed a hard foul on Ben Wallace. The tension exploded when Wallace shoved Artest with such force it sent shockwaves through the arena. Trying to calm things down, Artest laid down on the scorer’s table — but then a fan threw a drink at him. That was the spark.
Artest stormed into the stands, attacking the wrong fan in a blind fury. Teammates Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O’Neal followed, and soon the boundary between players and fans dissolved into chaos. Chairs flew, security was overwhelmed, and the arena turned into a battlefield broadcast live to millions.
The NBA acted swiftly. Artest was suspended for a staggering 86 games — the harshest punishment ever. Jackson got 30 games, O’Neal 15, and even Wallace, the initial victim, was suspended six games. Players lost $11 million in salary, teams were fined, and criminal charges followed. This incident forever changed the NBA’s approach to player and fan conduct.
Kermit Washington vs. Rudy Tomjanovich — 1977
On December 9, 1977, a seemingly minor scuffle between Lakers forward Kermit Washington and Rockets center Kevin Cunard spiraled into one of the most horrifying moments in NBA history.
Rudy Tomjanovich, a respected peacemaker, rushed in to break up the fight. But Washington, caught in the heat of the moment, mistook him for an opponent and delivered a devastating punch. The impact fractured Tomjanovich’s skull, jaw, and nose — his face nearly detached from his skull.
The punch echoed like a gunshot. Tomjanovich collapsed in a pool of blood, and doctors feared he might not survive. He endured multiple surgeries and a long recovery, missing an entire season.
Washington was suspended for 60 days and fined $10,000, later traded as the Lakers struggled to move on. The NBA introduced tougher rules and a third referee to prevent such tragedies. Washington’s career was forever shadowed by that moment, despite his remorse.
Carmelo Anthony’s Sucker Punch — 2006
At Madison Square Garden on December 16, 2006, the Denver Nuggets dominated the New York Knicks. But in the final minute, a flagrant foul by Knicks’ Marty Collins on Nuggets’ J.R. Smith ignited a powder keg.
Nate Robinson shoved Smith into the stands, recalling the Malice at the Palace two years prior. As players flooded the court, Carmelo Anthony, star of the Nuggets, threw a clean sucker punch at Collins — then fled to the locker room.
The NBA suspended seven players for a total of 47 games, with Anthony receiving 15. Both teams were fined $500,000, and players lost $1.2 million in salary. Anthony later argued his punishment was unfair compared to others involved.
The Birth of the Bench Rule — 1993
On May 11, 1993, Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Johnson emphatically dunked over Knicks veteran Doc Rivers. Rivers shoved Johnson in retaliation, sparking a fight.
The chaos escalated when Greg Anthony, not even in uniform, punched Johnson from the bench. This unprecedented act turned a minor scuffle into a full-scale brawl involving tough enforcers Charles Oakley and Charles Barkley.
The NBA responded decisively — suspending Anthony for five games and fining multiple players and teams. Most importantly, this fight led to the creation of the “leaving the bench” rule, mandating automatic suspensions for any player who leaves the bench during an altercation, changing league discipline forever.
Jeff Van Gundy’s Heroic Leg Cling — 1998
During the intense 1998 Eastern Conference playoffs between the Miami Heat and New York Knicks, a brutal fight broke out between Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson.
Enter Jeff Van Gundy, the diminutive Knicks head coach, barely 5’9” and 150 pounds, who heroically threw himself into the fray — literally grabbing Mourning’s leg and clinging on desperately to stop the brawl.
Van Gundy’s legendary leg cling became an iconic and comical moment in NBA history, symbolizing courage against all odds. Despite their fierce on-court battle, Mourning and Johnson later reconciled, even sharing laughs about the incident decades later.
Shaq vs. Charles Barkley — Friendly Fire, 1999
On February 4, 1999, two future Hall of Famers, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley, engaged in a rare fight that surprisingly strengthened their friendship.
After a blocked shot, Shaq pushed Barkley hard. Barkley responded by throwing the ball at Shaq’s head. Shaq swung wildly but missed. The two giants wrestled to the floor, creating a spectacle more amusing than dangerous.
Both were ejected and suspended for one game, with modest fines. Their mothers, close friends, arranged a postgame dinner that ended any potential feud. Their friendship flourished, and they later became beloved TNT analysts, often joking about their fight.
Bird vs. Dr. J — Historic Clash, 1984
The Celtics and 76ers rivalry reached a boiling point in 1984 when Larry Bird dominated Julius “Dr. J” Irving with 42 points and relentless trash talk.
Bird’s taunts pushed Irving beyond his limit, leading to a shove and punches thrown. The benches cleared, but surprisingly, no suspensions were handed down, only fines.
This fight highlighted the fierce competitiveness of two championship-caliber teams and remains a memorable chapter in NBA history.
Kevin McHale’s Clothesline — 1984 NBA Finals
Game 4 of the 1984 Finals saw Kevin McHale deliver a brutal clothesline to Kurt Rambis during a fast break, knocking him to the floor.
The Lakers erupted in outrage, but no punches were thrown. The referees called only a common foul, and no suspensions or fines followed — a stark contrast to today’s standards.
Rambis later joked about the incident, and McHale admitted it was a calculated move to intimidate, not an emotional outburst.
Jordan vs. Miller — Playoff Intensity, 1993
In the 1993 Eastern Conference playoffs, Reggie Miller aggressively challenged Michael Jordan, shoving him out of bounds.
Jordan responded by scratching Miller’s face and throwing a punch. Miller was ejected and fined; Jordan was suspended for one game but allowed to finish that night’s game, scoring 40 points and leading the Bulls to victory.
Their fierce rivalry was marked by respect, with Miller later calling playing Jordan the ultimate test of his competitive spirit.
Championship Stakes Violence — Lucas vs. Dawkins, 1977
In Game 2 of the 1977 NBA Finals, a cheap shot by Daryl Dawkins on Bob Gross triggered Maurice Lucas to deliver a devastating sucker punch.
The resulting massive brawl involved players, fans, and even police. Both players were ejected and fined, but no suspensions were given.
Despite the violence, Lucas and Dawkins maintained professional respect and continued competing without further incident. This fight remains one of the most consequential moments in NBA Finals history.
These moments of fury, passion, and sometimes redemption have shaped the NBA’s history and culture, reminding us that basketball is as much about human emotion as it is about skill.
Thank you for joining this journey through the NBA’s wildest fights. If you want to explore more stories like this, just let me know!
