As the NBA regular season is approaching its end, tensions between the teams have increased. From 3 players getting suspended after a fight during a Mavs-Suns game in December 2024 to Lu Dort and Jeremy Sochan’s scuffle leading to a double ejection earlier this month, several examples have popped up recently of the tension leading to physical brawls. Now, Steven Adams and Mason Plumlee have also added themselves to the list of examples.

During the 2nd quarter of the recent Phoenix Suns–Houston Rockets matchup, Jalen Green was seen making a shot from inside the paint. The same extended the Rockets’ lead to 47-50. While everyone else’s attention was on Green, the referees did not miss that an unforeseen incident had occurred just a few feet away. Steven Adams was blocking Mason Plumlee to ensure he could not catch any rebound if the shot missed.

However, things intensified to the point that both players began pushing each other. As most of the other players and team officials gathered around the duo, they continued fighting and even pushed each other down to the floor. The commentators certainly had the time of their life, with one exclaiming, “It’s like a Sumo Wrestling match down there”.

According to reports, both players were ejected in the aftermath of the incident. Steven Adams was forced to exit the game after just 11 minutes on the court, and making 1 point, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. Mason Plumlee did not fare much better, as he made only 4 points and 6 rebounds during his 13 minutes on the court.

Adams reportedly received a standing ovation from Rockets fans as he went into the tunnel and potentially headed back to the locker room. That’s the advantage one has when playing a game at home. Adams’ ejection meant that Jock Landale and Jeff Green were poised to see an increase in their minutes behind Alperen Sengun in the second half.

Adams will return for the next game against the Dallas Mavericks. However, Plumlee’s availability for any future game might be under question. After all, the player did leave the game while reportedly bleeding from his head.

With the NBA regular season set to close out in the coming weeks, competition is high. Some teams are now going all-in to ensure they can secure a playoff-qualifying seed. Those who have it are doing their best to ensure they hold on to it. As a result, such incidents are bound to happen. Which is a shame, especially when it comes to friends turning against foes. Steven Adams and Mason Plumlee are not necessarily close friends. However, the former might have won over the latter once by showing an act of kindness.

Steven Adams once saved Mason Plumlee from a bad fall instead of going for the layup

Back in 2018, Steven Adams was playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, while Mason Plumlee was with the Denver Nuggets. With a little over 8 minutes to go in the game between the two teams, Adams was seen catching a pass while wide open near the basket. The player was ready to make a shot. However, Mason jumped to block the ball. Unfortunately, the jump was too early, and the Nuggets player came into contact with Adams’ back, his leg hit Adams’ shoulder, and Plumlee went tumbling toward the floor and had a hard fall.

The situation could have been worse had Steven Adams not engaged in an unusual action. Instead of trying to score, he turned and tried to break Plumlee’s fall! Later, the then OKC player also helped Plumlee get off the court.

Even after 7 years, such a gesture is not something one forgets easily. However, in the recent Suns-Rockets game, any appreciation the duo held for each other may have evaporated. All that’s left now is to wait and see whether they choose to speak about the whole incident or not.