Move aside, Warriors. Move aside, Cavaliers. There’s a new hottest rivalry in the NBA, and it’s the Houston Rockets versus the Los Angeles Clippers.
Monday night’s game between the Rockets and the Clippers marked the first time Chris Paul returned back in Los Angeles, since being traded to the Rockets back in June. There was already tension between teams prior to the matchup, as it’s been rumor that a clash of personalities between Paul and coach Doc Rivers led to star’s exit from the team.
Although the game was chippy throughout, frustration didn’t boil over until late into the fourth quarter. With the Clippers up, former teammates Blake Griffin and Paul battled in the post before Paul was called for a questionable and-1 call. Houston coach Mike D’Antoni seemed to shout an explitive at Griffin following the play, and Paul and Griffin proceeded to exchange words of their own.
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In the game’s last minute, Griffin and Trevor Ariza were both ejected after jawing with each other. The drama, however, was far from over.
According to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, a group of Rockets players including James Harden, Ariza, Gerald Green, and Clint Capela tried to enter the Clippers’ locker room with Paul through a back entrance. The players were out to confront Griffin and Austin Rivers but were denied access. The Clippers got the last laugh as they won 113-102.
It’ll be interesting to see what, if any, punishments are dealt out by the NBA following this incident, but the greater NBA universe will have plenty of popcorn ready when the two teams meet in Los Angeles on Feb. 28.
