Bennedict Mathurin said the brief scuffle after the game vs. Minnesota started when he was trying to secure the game ball for rookie Sean Pedulla following his first NBA points, adding that he only wanted to be a good teammate and that "everybody needs peace."
Kawhi Leonard scored 45 points, and Bennedict Mathurin added 22 as the Los Angeles Clippers remained red-hot in March with a 153-128 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
But the night didn't end quietly at the Intuit Dome, as tensions flared moments after the final buzzer.
A heated confrontation erupted among Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels, and Mathurin, prompting teammates and arena security to step in and separate the players.
The situation began when Reid approached Mathurin, who was holding the game ball, and attempted to take it from him. Mathurin reacted immediately, leading to a brief scuffle as players from both teams rushed over to break things up.
During the chaos, Sean Pedulla – who had just scored the first points of his NBA career – tried to secure the game ball. Security personnel eventually restored order and escorted both teams back to their locker rooms.
Speaking after the game, Mathurin clarified that his intention was simply to save the ball for Pedulla's milestone moment.
"Yeah. Trying to get the game ball. My rookie scored his first points in the NBA," he told reporters. "So I can't take that for granted. It only happens once. Just trying to be a good teammate, trying to get the game ball. We don't go through those situations with violence. We need peace. Everybody needs peace."
Leonard, meanwhile, brushed off questions about the incident.
"Let's talk about basketball," he said.
Wiht the win, the LA Clippers improved to 33-32.
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