Washington Wizards guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and center Montrezl Harrell got into a physical confrontation at halftime of Tuesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Both Caldwell-Pope and Harrell each took swings at each other, not connecting. Wizards teammates had to intervene to separate the two.
Sources said Harrell became upset with Caldwell-Pope for not passing him the basketball on a play before the first half concluded, and the two started jawing during the walk to the locker room. As the two exchanged words, Harrell and Caldwell-Pope took swings toward each other ā with neither connecting ā and became entangled before teammates separated them, sources said.
The altercation was subdued before the players reached the locker room. However, security was increased to help keep the situation from escalating again.
The Wizards trailed 61-58 at halftime. However, they rallied for a 122-118 game without leading scorer Bradley Beal, who re-entered COVID-19 protocols prior to the game.
Tuesday marked Harrell’s first game since Dec. 26. He missed seven games while in COVID-19 protocols. The Wizards struggled with a 3-4 record during that span.
Prior to the game Harrell made a plea to fans to show out and bring their energy inside the Wizards’ home, Capital One Arena.
Then the Louisville product showed up in style sporting an eye-popping mask.
Ball movement has been an issue already this season for the Wizards. A report last month suggested some Washington players had grown frustrated with the offense being centered around Beal.
It was Harrell’s comments that were highlighted.
āAt the end of the day, itās like the old saying, āYouāve got to throw a squirrel a nut,āā centerĀ Montrezl HarrellĀ said. āWeāre not saying throw it to us and let us clear out and iso and go and do our thing. No. But at the same time, let us feel it, not just off rebounding and then giving it to a guard. No, let us get a touch early to get a shot. Letās give us something to let us feel like weāre involved in the game as well.ā
Harrell and Caldwell-Pope along with Kyle Kuzma were teammates last season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The trio was traded to the Wizards this past offseason in the Russell Westbrook blockbuster trade.
Against the Thunder, Harrell finished with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, seven rebounds, two assists and one block. Caldwell-Pope finished with 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the field. Caldwell-Pope’s three with 31.5 seconds remaining sealed the Wizards’ win.Ā
