Post-Game Chaos Erupts as Rookie Fears Clashes with Thunder's Dort
A fiercely contested NBA regular-season game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Oklahoma City Thunder descended into dramatic chaos on Tuesday night. The tension culminated in a physical confrontation between Pelicans rookie guard Jeremiah Fears and Thunder guard Lu Dort, forcing security and team personnel to intervene and escort the furious Fears from the Paycom Center court.
Final Seconds Spark Heated Bench-Clearing Altercation
The incident unfolded immediately after the final buzzer sounded on the Thunder's 104-95 victory. In the closing moments, Fears, the Pelicans' 7th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, attempted a last-second layup while being tightly defended by Dort. This intense physical contest quickly escalated beyond the play.
- A verbal exchange rapidly turned physical as both players grabbed each other's jerseys.
- The scuffle prompted teammates, coaches, and arena security to rush onto the floor to separate the pair.
- The 19-year-old Fears, in his 48th career game, was visibly enraged and had to be physically restrained by multiple staff members as he continued to pursue Dort across the hardwood.
Fortunately for both teams, the entire altercation occurred after the game clock had expired. Consequently, the officiating crew did not assess any technical fouls during the game. However, both Fears and Dort are expected to face disciplinary action from the NBA league office following a standard review of the incident footage.
Coaches React to the Late-Game Tensions
When questioned about the post-buzzer fracas, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault offered a measured but critical perspective. He suggested the situation stemmed from a loss of control by the officials in the game's final minutes.
"Good guys. Good crew. But I thought they lost control of the game in the final minutes," Daigneault stated. "I thought that altercation at the end started well before that... I thought they could’ve managed that cleaner."
Daigneault further elaborated on the specific play, arguing, "And then the second thing is I think that’s a foul on Dort. And if it was, they should put a whistle on that play regardless of the score and the time. If they do that, everybody stops playing, and you can legislate the situation as you normally would."
Thunder Regain Form as Pelicans Struggle Continues
Beyond the controversy, the game had significant implications for both teams' standings. The reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder secured a crucial victory, improving their impressive record to 38-10. This win halted a brief two-game skid following losses to the Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors. Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander anchored the performance with 29 points, stabilizing the Thunder's dominant position atop the Western Conference.
Conversely, the loss marked another low point for the New Orleans Pelicans, who fell to a dismal 12-37 on the season. While Zion Williamson delivered a strong double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds, rookie Jeremiah Fears was limited to just 7 points before the explosive ending.
As the dust settles on this contentious night, both franchises must quickly shift focus. The Pelicans return home to face the Memphis Grizzlies, while the Thunder aim to build on this hard-fought, albeit chaotic, momentum in their upcoming schedule. The league's pending review of the Fears-Dort incident will add another layer of drama to the aftermath of this intense matchup.
