https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ozW-6DT1cA&feature=youtu.be
While much of the NBA world was focused on free agency and the upcoming Summer League, Milwaukee Bucks big man Thon Maker and the Australian National Team were taking part in a FIBA World Cup Qualifying contest against the Philippines on July 2. That isn’t out of the ordinary this time of year but, in the midst of a blowout in favor of Australia, things escalated into a full-blown brawl on the floor.
With four minutes remaining in the third quarter and Australia leading by 31 points, Daniel Kickert offered a flying elbow that appeared to start the ruckus.
The elbow from Daniel Kickert that started it all before the Philippines turned it up to 11 #Boomers` pic.twitter.com/S8wt9yE9fS
— Ricky Mangidis (@rickm18) July 2, 2018
From there, things get crazy, with benches clearing and all-out chaos.
Absolute scenes. Basketball fight. pic.twitter.com/ny9mBig1o9
— Jay Clark (@ClarkyHeraldSun) July 2, 2018
Maker, who is the most prominent NBA player involved on either team, was captured attempting to kick opponents and he was in the midst of it all.
Thon Maker, NBA regular, going full Kung fu. Got to say Kickert retaliated way too hard after admittedly cheap foul on Goulding pic.twitter.com/hEmMikH1Wa
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) July 2, 2018
Thon Maker out here throwing knees! 😳 #Boomers pic.twitter.com/feizBcSBkc
— Ricky Mangidis (@rickm18) July 2, 2018
In addition, long-time NBA big man Andray Blatche was seen throwing at least one haymaker during the fight.
Andray Blatche thinking he's JBL with the Clothesline From Hell #Boomers pic.twitter.com/JOM9yuNbHC
— Ricky Mangidis (@rickm18) July 2, 2018
There was even a chair thrown.
Oh my god. He threw a chair! #Boomers pic.twitter.com/9T5bs5VLou
— Ricky Mangidis (@rickm18) July 2, 2018
There was a lengthy review after the fight that paused the game in its tracks while officials monitored video of the proceedings, and the result was an incredible 13 ejections — four from Australia and nine from the Philippines — leading to 5-on-3 hoops to close the game.
Ok, so, there was 13 ejections.
From Australia: Sobey, Goulding, Maker, Kickert.
9 Filipino players were ejected.
The game continues. The Philippines have 3 players. Australia has 8. We're watching 5 on 3, right now.
— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) July 2, 2018
In short, though, this is the kind of brawl that the NBA fears on a grand scale and league officials can’t be happy that Maker (and anyone else) was involved in it.