The long-running feud between Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook and Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley intensified on Tuesday after the two collided and nearly came to blows, requiring police intervention on the court.
The latest skirmish began with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter of Oklahoma City's 128-110 win when Beverley dove for a loose ball and crashed into Westbrook's knees. Both players received technical fouls, and Beverley was also assessed a flagrant foul after a video review.
Thunder head coach Billy Donovan called a timeout as the pair continued bickering, prompting police to stand between the benches. The incident reignited tensions from 2013, when Beverley, then with Houston, lunged for the ball as Westbrook prepared to call a timeout, causing a torn lateral meniscus in Westbrook's right knee.
After the game, Westbrook declined to comment on the altercation, saying only, 'I just know that we won.' Beverley defended his actions, stating, 'I feel like I went for a loose ball... the ref looked at it on tape and felt like it was a flagrant, and I've got to accept it.'
Westbrook, who scored 32 points, was animated throughout the game, at one point pretending to rock a baby to sleep—a gesture he said was aimed at 'little guards' rather than his impending twins.
