Donovan Mitchell-Desmond Bane fight nearly turned into melee

Donovan Mitchell and Desmond Bane wrestled for the ball in the third quarter of the Cavaliers’ win over the Grizzlies on Sunday night, nearly setting off a melee before cooler heads prevailed in Cleveland.

The feisty moment occurred with 7:28 left in the third quarter and the Cavaliers leading by three while Mitchell had the ball. 

The Cavs’ star lost his footing while dribbling the ball, but regained control while on the ground and the whistle blew to stop play. 

However, even after the official blew the whistle, Bane continued to try and fight for the ball and ended up rolling around with Micthell, which led to both benches clearing. 

“It was a 50-50 ball, I don’t understand how it got elevated,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. “I did see Ja [Morant] join the fray. I wish it would have just been left Don and Desmond. Leave it at that. When you start getting guys coming in and pushing, that was when, my observation, I did not love that we had people come from the perimeter to get involved in that.”

He added: “Let the two guys tussle, everybody else stay out of it.” 

Atkinson and Grizzlies big man Zach Edey tried to get Mitchell of Bane and Morant got involved in the fracas trying to push Mitchell. 

Bane continued to try and go after Mitchell even as security got involved and the Cavaliers star seemed to have no interest in continuing the altercation. 

Cavs center Tristan Thompson pushed Edey during the fight as well and the officials handed Mitchell and Bane a technical foul each. 

Morant and Thompson also received technical fouls. 

Sunday night was not the first time that the Grizzlies and Cavaliers were involved in a scuffle. 

Mitchell had gotten mixed up with former Grizzlies player Dillon Brooks during a Feb. 2, 2023 game, after Brooks hit Mitchell below the belt. 

That altercation ended with both players being kicked out of the game.