As the NBA’s investigation into the altercation between Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns begins, the Minnesota Timberwolves are rejecting the game officials’ designation of Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons as a “peacemaker” in the fracas, league sources tell ESPN.
Referee Mark Ayotte told a pool reporter Wednesday night that Simmons was “deemed a peacemaker” for an act that included him holding Towns to the floor in what the Timberwolves contend was a “dangerous choke hold,” league sources told ESPN.
Simmons told reporters after the game that he’s “always got my teammate’s back.”
The NBA’s executive president of basketball operations, Kiki VanDeWeghe, was in contact with both the Sixers and Timberwolves front offices on Wednesday night, sources said.
The NBA plans to review tape and interview participants and witnesses beginning Thursday. Both Embiid and Towns are facing the possibility of a suspension.
Embiid and Towns became tangled in the third period of the Sixers’ 117-95 victory and wrestled each other to the floor before coaches and teammates separated them. Towns initially tossed a punch that didn’t land on Embiid, who later poked Towns in the eye with his thumb.
Embiid reveled in the skirmish on his way off the court, shadow boxing and pumping his arms to the frenzied Sixers fans before disappearing into the tunnel.
Embiid and Towns also exchanged barbs on social media late into the night, including some coarse verbiage.
“I didn’t throw any punches, so I shouldn’t get suspended,” Embiid said.
Ayotte, the crew chief of the officiating crew, told a pool reporter: “We deemed the altercation a fight. Therefore, by rule, they’re both ejected. I just saw them each lock arms. And that escalated to the fight.”
Embiid and Towns entered the game as two of the early season’s most dominant players, which included two teams with a combined 7-0 record.