Austin Rivers Takes on Oklahoma City Big Man Nick Collison, Gets Ejected

New Orleans Pelicans Guard Austin Rivers got in a shoving match with Oklahoma City Thunder's Nick Collison last night. Though it earned Austin Rivers and Nick Collision a double ejection, the Pelicans still won the game.

According to Sports Illustrated
Pelicans guard Austin Rivers and Thunder forward Nick Collison were ejected after getting into a shoving match during New Orleans’ 101-89 home victory over Oklahoma City on Monday.
This was a case of a younger player being unwilling to take any more guff from a veteran.
With a little over eight minutes remaining in the second quarter and New Orleans leading 32-31, Rivers shoved Collison as the Thunder big man tried to set a pick on him. The extracurricular activities continued as the action moved to the other end, with the 6-foot-9 Collison veering into the 6-foot-4 Rivers from behind as they ran up the court.

Rivers immediately took exception to the shove from behind, making a beeline for Collison and hugging him with both arms in the paint. Collison responded by wrapping up Rivers’ head, and the two engaged in a staredown before they were quickly separated.

Both players were ejected after receiving technical fouls. Rivers departed with eight points (on 2-for-4 shooting) and two assists in 14 minutes. Collison left with zero points (on 0-for-2 shooting), two assists and one rebounds in eight minutes.
Tyreke Evans led the Pelicans to the surprise victory with 41 points (on 14-for-26 shooting), nine rebounds, eight assists and three steals.
Kevin Durant paced the Thunder, who were without Russell Westbrook, by posting 25 points (on 9-for-23 shooting), seven rebounds and six assists.
New Orleans improved to 33-48 with the win. Oklahoma City dropped to 58-23 with the loss.
The defeat complicates things slightly for the Thunder, who now still have some work to do to hold off the Clippers for the West’s No. 2 seed. Oklahoma City can drop to the West’s No. 3 spot if the Thunder lose to the Pistons on Wednesday and the Clippers win both of their remaining games against the Nuggets and Blazers.

Source: Sports Illustrated