(Reuters) – New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony was ejected for a flagrant foul during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday as tempers flared again in the National Basketball Association. The nine-times All-Star was given his marching orders in the second quarter for hitting Atlanta’s Thabo Sefolosha in the head with his right hand as they jostled anticipating a rebound.
Anthony did not speak to the media afterwards, but Sefolosha pulled no metaphorical punches.
“He punched me,” the Swiss said, according to ESPN. “That was a fist right to my face.”
The Hawks beat the Knicks 102-98 in overtime.
It was the second ejection this season for Anthony, the previous coming against the Boston Celtics on Nov. 11.
Anthony’s ejection came after a spiteful game on Tuesday between Houston and Dallas finished with eight flagrant fouls called.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
Reuters
