SACRAMENTO KINGS

Brown, Kings share thoughts on Trey Lyles-Brook Lopez altercation

Mar 14, 2023, 9:24 AM

BY FRANKIE CARTOSCELLI
Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

Sparks flew at the end of Monday night’s matchup between the Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks, and several members of the Kings voiced their opinions on what transpired following the drama.

With the game all but out of reach for Sacramento, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo dribbled the ball into the front court with less than 20 seconds to go and appeared to walk right in front of Kings forward Trey Lyles, who took exception and shoved the two-time MVP out of frustration.

Bucks center Brook Lopez immediately came to Antetokounmpo’s aid, and Lyles responded by shoving the big man’s face, then putting his hands around Lopez’s neck while both teams swarmed around the chaotic scene.

Both Lyles and Lopez were ejected, the game clock hit zero, and a wild night at Golden 1 Center came to an entertaining end–one that had Sacramento fired up following the game.

“It was nothing personal. But, a bigger guy walks down on me, I’m not really one for talking. It takes a lot for me to get out of character,” Lyles said of the scuffle.

“Just not going to go for that. Could have been avoided if [Antetokounmpo] just dribbled it out. A lot of people probably will say that it’s cheap, it’s at the end of the game, but if it’s at the end of the game, then why initiate it? If you’re going to do that, then you have to be ready for the repercussions.”

Kings head coach Mike Brown shared his thoughts on the scene during his postgame press conference, as the Coach of the Year candidate highlighted his team’s unity.

“I don’t know what happened, but we ain’t taking no s*** from nobody. Trust me on that,” Brown said of the late-game altercation. “And they’re all going to have each other’s backs in there. That doesn’t mean we’re going to go out there and start something, but we’re going to stand up for ourselves and each other.”

De’Aaron Fox also shared his opinion that Antetokounmpo started the melee by intentionally dribbling in front of Lyles instead of just letting the clock hit zero.

“Giannis can just dribble the ball out, and nothing would have happened,” Fox said. “Just dribble the ball out. There’s no reason to dribble around or in front of someone.”

De’Aaron weighs in on Giannis’ role in the Lopez-Lyles scuffle at the end of the game pic.twitter.com/BbiWC49rdG

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 14, 2023

Antetokounmpo shouted out Lopez for “having [his] back” following the game when recapping the events that transpired.

“Then I just saw Brook being upset and he is usually is not that upset,” Antetokounmpo said. “He was yelling ‘don’t do that again, don’t push him like that.’ Then I realized…he pushed me in my back. Obviously, I appreciate Brook having my back and that’s my guy, not just on the court, off the court, for life he’s my guy.”

Lopez agreed that he was there for his teammate, as the veteran center questioned Lyles’ actions leading into the scuffle.

“That’s all I was doing. The game was over,” Lopez said. “Giannis is dribbling out the clock. I don’t know what [Lyles] was doing messing with Giannis, doing too much. Like I said, the game was already over. So, I just wanted to go out there and protect my guy.”

It’s currently unknown if Lyles or Lopez will face any suspensions or fines for their roles in what transpired on Monday, but word should come from the NBA before Sacramento’s next game on Wednesday night in Chicago.

Next Game

Sacramento will open up a four-game road trip on Wednesday night when they face the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.

Be sure to get all of your Kings vs. Bulls coverage right here on Sactown Sports 1140 beginning at 3:30 PM PST on Game Night with Scott Marsh and Henry ‘The High Flyer’ Turner before a 5:00 PM PST tip-off from Chicago.