Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles, left, and Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, #11, argue in the final seconds of the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, California, Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Lopez and Lyles locked up. The 7-foot center grabbed the 6-foot-9 forward’s head. The two wrestled to the sideline before being split apart.
"I thought what that guy did to Giannis was cheap," Lopez said, via Sideline Sources. "He didn't need to do any of that stuff. He stepped up to Giannis a little bit as he walked off, and I didn't like that. I had my guy’s back like I would have any of my teammates."
Kings guard De’Aaron Fox said all Antetokounmpo had to do was dribble the ball out.
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Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, #11, and Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles scuffle in the final seconds of the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, California, Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, #11, and Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles were both ejected after the scuffle Sacramento, California, Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
"I think Fox said it pretty well," Lyles added, via the Sacramento Bee. "It could have been avoided if he just dribbled it out. If you watch, I’m just walking back with my head down. He crossed in front of me. … He sold it a bit. It was nothing personal."
Lyles said it takes a lot for him "to get out of character."
"A lot of people probably say it was cheap since it was at the end of the game," Lyles added. "It’s at the end of the game -- then why initiate it? If you’re going to do that, then you need to be ready for the repercussions of it.
"I’m not saying it’s right by any means, but what happened is what happened."
Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, left scuffles with Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles as members of both teams intervene in the final seconds of the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, California, Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
The Bucks won the game 133-124. Lopez scored 23 points in the win.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.