Kyle Lowry and Ben Simmons were both ejected late in Monday’s game between the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers. The two players were issued and sent to the locker rooms on single technicals with six seconds left in the game, which Philadelphia won 117-111.
Kyle Lowry, Ben Simmons get into an ‘altercation’ after both are ejected
Lowry appeared to tell Simmons to meet him outside the locker rooms.
It appeared as if Lowry and Simmons mutually agreed to carry an on-court conversation into the tunnels outside the locker room, with Simmons pointing and Lowry quickly heading that direction.
It appears that they did, indeed, meet up there.
Another reporter says nothing happened between the two, though.
Here was Simmons’ response.
It seemed like Lowry was pissed off by something, or several things, that Simmons did during the game. They did come into contact during a jump ball earlier in the game, but while the play was physical, it didn’t appear to be dirty.
It’s also possible the altercation was sparked with about 25 seconds left, when Lowry attempted to push the ball ahead, lost it, and Simmons stole it from him. The play essentially ended any chance at a Toronto comeback, and Lowry may have perceived a slight that was only amplified by his frustrations.
After that play, when Joel Embiid went to the free throw line after being fouled, Simmons and Lowry kept talking at each other.
That’s probably what led to their ejections. Whatever it was, at least we know the 76ers mascot wasn’t having it anymore.
Sorry, Lowry. If Franklin the Dog doesn’t like you, I don’t know what to say.
