Jaden McDaniels reacts to Klay Thompson fight as Timberwolves star admits he didn’t think bust-up was ‘serious’ in Warriors win… despite both men being ejected from the game
- McDaniels and Thompson started a brawl by pushing and shoving each other
- They were ejected from the game along with Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert
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Timberwolves star Jaden McDaniels says his on-court feud with Klay Thompson was a “bigger deal” for the Warriors shooting guard after they were both ejected from Tuesday’s game in San Francisco for fighting.
Before Minnesota claimed a 104-101 victory over Golden State, McDaniels and Thompson shoved each other as a fiery brawl broke out at Chase Center.
Warriors power forward Draymond Green was seen deadlocking 7-foot-2 Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert, earning him a five-game suspension from the NBA.
In addition to Gobert, McDaniels and Thompson have been fined $25,000 for their part in the fight.
But McDaniels admitted after Tuesday’s bad-tempered meeting that from his point of view, his feud with Thompson was not initially serious.
Timberwolves star Jaden McDaniels says his on-court feud with Klay Thompson was a ‘bigger deal’ for the Warriors shooting guard
The pair were ejected from Tuesday’s match in San Francisco after a massive brawl broke out
“There was some banter back and forth, but I didn’t take it seriously,” he said. ‘I was laughing. And then I think it was a bigger deal for him.
“He missed a shot, we ran onto the field. We probably said something back to each other and for me it wasn’t that serious – I was laughing and joking.
“Some people take things differently.”
When asked if he had any history with the Golden State forward, McDaniels said, “No, I don’t know at all. I just know he’s Klay Thompson.”
Less than two minutes into Tuesday night’s game, Thompson and McDaniels tangled in the half court before shaking hands to begin the altercation.
Green then flew in from a few yards away and immediately put Gobert in a headlock before teammates intervened. All four players at the center of the fight were ejected from the San Francisco game.
On Wednesday, the NBA confirmed that Green had been given a five-game suspension for his involvement.
Draymond Green was also ejected for deadlocking Rudy Gobert when the Timberwolves faced the Warriors
The league said in a statement: “Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been suspended five games without pay for escalating an on-court altercation and forcibly grabbing the neck of Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in an unsportsmanlike and dangerous way, it was announced today. by Joe Dumars, NBA Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.
“The length of the suspension is based in part on Green’s history of unsportsmanlike conduct.”
McDaniels continued, “I was quite surprised. I didn’t know Draymond would do all that. That was quite surprising to me.
“But other than that it was just a minor altercation.”