After being in a tussle that brought him to the ground in a pile, Washington shooting guard Bradley Beal made an escape.
Beal avoided being suspended by the NBA for his role in Friday’s fracas between him and Golden State Warriors agitator Draymond Green, the NBA announced Sunday. The two became locked together following what appeared to be Beal striking Green in the face with an open hand. They eventually went to the ground, causing referees, coaches, security and other players to rush to the pile in an attempt at peace and separation.
During that process, Washington forwards Markieff Morris and Carrick Felix left the Wizards bench, which was just a few feet from the on-floor jousting. They have both been suspended one game.
Morris is currently injured. He had sports hernia surgery late in the offseason and is yet to play this season. He will serve the suspension once healthy. The NBA will send an independent doctor to confirm that Morris is healthy enough to play in a game before he can serve the suspension. Felix, who is not part of the rotation, will serve his suspension Sunday night when the Wizards close a four-game road trip against the Sacramento Kings.
Beal, however, is out $50,000 after the league fined him for beginning the exchange. Green was fined $25,000 for “failing to disengage.” Kelly Oubre Jr. was fined $15,000 for “aggressively entering the altercation.”
The situation between Beal and Green had been brewing before both were ejected late in the second quarter. They bumped and jawed earlier in the game. After Green blocked Beal’s shot in the second quarter, then returned to box him out, Beal took a half-hearted swing at Green. That started the tumult.
Washington is 3-2 this season following the loss to the defending champions in Golden State. It won both home games to start the season before the West Coast road trip began. Following a head-scratching loss Oct. 25 against the young Los Angeles Lakers, Washington let an 18-point lead against the Warriors deteriorate into a three-point loss.
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
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