EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Kenyon Martin of the Nets and Corey Maggette of the Clippers exchanged punches and were ejected in the third quarter of the Los Angeles-New Jersey game on Tuesday night.
Martin grabbed Maggette by the hands as he drove under the basket with 7:08 left with the Nets ahead 60-34. As the whistle was blown for a foul, Maggette shoved Martin to the floor under the Los Angeles basket.
Martin jumped up and grabbed Maggette under the neck. Maggette threw a right at Martin, who retaliated with a left-handed punch.
Each player threw one more punch before being separated.
After a short meeting among the officials, both players were ejected.
Under NBA rules, throwing a punch brings an automatic suspension of at least one game.